[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 54 (Friday, May 3, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E699-E700]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                     SALUTE TO WOMEN OF LAKE COUNTY

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 2, 2002

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is my distinct pleasure to announce 
that the Barbara Holder Consulting Services will be hosting a Salute to 
Women of Lake County, on Friday, May 3, 2002, at the Horseshoe Casino, 
Lakeview Room in Hammond, Indiana. Ten outstanding women from Northwest 
Indiana will be honored at this notable event for their dedication and 
hard work. A portion of the proceeds from this event will benefit the 
Minority Organ Tissue and Transplant Education Program (M.O.T.T.E.P.) 
and Project Research, a teen pregnancy prevention education program for 
teens ages 12-17.
  Mrs. Holder, owner of Barbara Holder Consulting Services, a woman-
owned business with offices in Gary and Chicago, specializes in 
creating community outreach programs, as well as monitoring and 
evaluating compliance with federal, state, and local EEO/Affirmative 
Action laws. She had the vision a year ago to honor the many faceless 
and nameless women who work tirelessly everyday but are never 
recognized publicly for the contributions they make in their respective 
fields. With the assistance of the planning committee members 
representing several academic, private, public, and social entities, 
this first annual and well-deserved salute to the women of Lake County 
became a reality.

[[Page E700]]

  This awards banquet will pay tribute to women that have excelled in 
the fields of art, business, education, government/law, law 
enforcement, health, industrial/union labor, not-for-profit leadership, 
religion, and volunteerism. This year's honorees include: Morning 
Aaronda Bishop, Sarah Givens, Captain Gloria Mitchell, Dorine Godinez, 
Sister Anita Holzmer, Nancy Nethery, Nancy Moore-Tiller, Dr. Danita 
Johnson-Hughes, Denise Dillard, and Dee Kegebein.
  Morning Aaronda Bishop of Gary will be honored as Outstanding Woman 
in Art for her 20 years of dedicated service to the community. 
Additionally, she is the founder of Morning Bishop Theatre Playhouse, 
the oldest community theatre in Gary. Sarah Givens of Gary will be 
honored as Outstanding Woman in Education for her dedication to 
Banneker School and its students. Under her tutelage, she propelled 
Banneker School to 4-Star status, a distinction Banneker has received 
for 12 consecutive years. Being honored as Outstanding Woman in Law 
Enforcement is Captain Gloria Mitchell of Hammond. She was the first 
African-American woman hired by the Hammond Police Department. With 
Gloria's loyalty and perseverance she has climbed to the rank of 
Captain where she serves as Commander of the Special Deployment 
Division (Drug and Gang Enforcement). Dorine Godinez of East Chicago 
will be honored as Outstanding Woman in Industrial/Union Labor. As a 
member of the Labor movement, she has many firsts: First woman elected 
Griever at USWA, Local 1010; First woman Electrical Leader Union 
Counselor; and First woman to serve on USWA, Local 1010 Contract 
Negotiations Committee. Additionally, she started the Woman's Committee 
with Women of Steel Organization. Being honored as Outstanding Woman in 
Religion is Sister Anita Holzmer. She has 32 years of spiritual 
service, serves as Principal of St. Mary's School, initiated the Peace 
Builders Program, and served as a member of the Music Leader Group of 
the 2000 Youth World Leadership Conference in Rome, Italy. Assistant 
Vice President of Centier Bank, Nancy Nethery of Lowell, is being 
honored as Outstanding Woman in Business. Most notably, Nancy is looked 
to as a hero for her actions during a hostage and robbery situation 
that took place at her bank last spring. Nancy Moore-Tiller of 
Merrillville is being honored as Outstanding Woman in Government/Law. 
With Nancy's fortitude and determination she started her own law firm. 
Additionally, she successfully won a case setting precedence in 
Education Law. Being named Outstanding Woman in Health is Dr. Danita 
Johnson-Hughes of Gary. Dr. Johnson-Hughes serves as President and CEO 
of Edgewater Systems for Balanced Living, has written and published a 
number of books, and was the only African-American to head an Indiana 
Division of Mental Health certified community mental health center in 
the state. Denise Dillard of Gary will be honored for her service as 
Executive Director of the Lake County Workforce Development Services. 
She will receive the Outstanding Woman in Not-for-Profit Leadership 
award. Finally, Dee Kegebein of Hammond will be recognized as 
Outstanding Woman in Volunteerism for her 50 years of service. Under 
her leadership, she has organized various programs for the VFW and the 
American Legion. She serves as President of the Ladies Auxiliary to the 
VFW and the American Legion. Additionally, she is Chairperson of the 
Voice of Democracy Program for the VFW.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my distinguished colleagues to join me in 
commending Mrs. Barbara Holder and her company for hosting this salute 
to the outstanding women of Lake County. Additionally, the effort of 
all those involved in planning this worthwhile event is indicative of 
their devotion to the very gifted women in Indiana's First 
Congressional District. Women throughout the entire country ought to be 
proud of their contributions to society. This country would not be what 
it is today without the role of such dedicated women. I am proud to 
represent them in Congress.

                          ____________________