[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 107 (Friday, September 10, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1588]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         TRIBUTE TO MR. VERNON CUNNINGHAM AND MR. JAMES SHEPARD

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 9, 2004

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is my distinct honor to commend two of 
Northwest Indiana's most distinguished citizens, Mr. Vernon Cunningham 
and Mr. James Shepard of Portage, Indiana. On Saturday, September 11, 
2004, they will be honored for their exemplary and dedicated service to 
the community.
  Mr. Vernon Cunningham will be awarded the Portage Township Citizen of 
the year. Vernon's qualities include a dedication to community causes. 
Vernon has been a resident of Portage, Indiana for over fifty years. 
Those who know him best describe Vernon as a kind, fun-loving person, 
who always wants to help others. His outstanding service and donation 
of time and money to Gabriel Horn's homeless shelter represents the 
epitome of what a dedicated public servant should be. South Haven 
American Legion Post 502 will be filled Saturday night with friends and 
family who have been blessed with the opportunity to know and work with 
Vernon and who wish to celebrate with him as he receives his award. 
Vernon's work, which has earned him Portage Township Citizen of the 
Year, has been improving his community and the lives of Porter County 
residents for many years. Although Vernon has dedicated his time 
serving the community, he has never neglected to provide support and 
love to his family. Vernon and his late wife Peggy have three children 
Scott, Gail, and James.
  Mr. James Shepard is being honored as the Portage Township Fireman of 
the Year. Mr. Shepard was voted by peers as Fireman of the Year for his 
outstanding service and dedication to the South Haven Volunteer Fire 
Department. James is a third generation fireman; his father was a 
volunteer fireman for South Haven and his grandfather was also a 
fireman. James graduated from the Georgia Fire Academy, the National 
Fire Academy, and he is also a Certified Fire Instructor. His career as 
a firefighter began in 1988 when he worked as a firefighter near 
Savanna, Georgia. In 1993, James became a Certified Emergency Medical 
Technician. He then moved to Porter County Indiana and has been a full-
time fire fighter for the City of Valparaiso for the last eleven years. 
For the past ten years, he has also served as a volunteer fireman for 
the South Haven Fire Department. While James has dedicated considerable 
time and energy to his work and protecting the lives of others, he has 
never limited the time he gives to his most important interest, his 
family. He and his wife Stacy have two children, James and Samantha.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my other distinguished colleagues to join 
me in commending Vernon Cunningham and James Shepard for their 
outstanding contributions to Indiana's First Congressional District. 
Their commitment to improving the quality of life of the people of 
Northwest Indiana is truly inspirational and should be recognized and 
commended.

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