[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 131 (Tuesday, November 16, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1998]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    THE CALUMET COMMUNITY HERO AWARD

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                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 16, 2004

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is my distinct honor to commend five 
dedicated individuals who have made significant contributions to 
Northwest Indiana. These loyal and dedicated individuals, Rosa Vega, 
Valeta Brannon, John Bakota, Daniel Lowery, and Leonard Tomaszewski, 
will be honored for their dedication to justice and to the people of 
Northwest Indiana by the Calumet Project at an awards luncheon at the 
Social Hall of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in Hammond, Indiana on 
Friday, November 19, 2004.
  The Calumet Community Hero Award is being presented to three 
individuals for their tireless efforts in promoting justice in 
Northwest Indiana. This year's first honoree is Rosa Vega, a graduate 
of Gary West Side High School. She has been a member of the executive 
board of SEIU Local 73 Division 208 since 1979 and has been employed by 
the Gary School Corporation since 1971. Rosa is also very active in the 
Cub Scouts and is a past recipient of the George Meany Scouting Award.
  Also receiving a Calumet Community Hero Award is the youngest of this 
year's award recipients, Valetta Brannon. Valetta is a 1999 graduate of 
Bishop Noll Institute, where she organized the Black History Club, and 
a 2004 graduate of Purdue University Calumet, where she earned her B.A. 
in Psychology. She is employed by the Family & Youth Services Bureau as 
a Residential Counselor and with Porter-Starke Children Services as a 
Behavioral Specialist. Her future plans include pursuing an MSW and 
continuing to fight for social justice for the people of Northwest 
Indiana.
  The third Calumet Community Hero Award is being presented to John 
Bakota. John is a graduate of East Chicago Roosevelt High School and is 
a veteran of the United States Army. John spent 38 years as a 
millwright at LTV Steel, and he has always been extremely active in 
promoting the enrichment of his community. John is a compassionate 
activist with the Coalition for a Clean Environment, and he is being 
honored for his ongoing quest to see to it that justice prevails.
  This year's Unity Award is being presented to Daniel Lowery, Ph.D. 
Dr. Lowery is a graduate of Valparaiso University, holds a Master's 
Degree in Business Administration from Indiana University Northwest, 
and received a Ph.D. in Public Administration from the University of 
Illinois at Chicago in 2001. He is currently Executive Director of the 
Northwest Indiana Quality of Life Council and has received numerous 
awards for his outstanding performance throughout his career.
  The final award, the Lifetime Achievement Award, is being presented 
to Leonard Tomaszewski for his outstanding service to the Northwest 
Indiana Community. Leonard is a graduate of Emerson High School and a 
veteran of the Korean War. Prior to his retirement in 1996, Leonard was 
employed by U.S. Steel and Gary Works Sheet and Tin for over 46 years. 
Since his retirement, Leonard has been an active member of the 
Steelworkers Organization Active Retirees (SOAR). He has led the fight 
on behalf of retirees for healthcare, prescription drugs, social 
security, and other issues of concern to retirees. Leonard's lifetime 
of service continues as he is a member of the Board of Directors of the 
Northwest Indiana Community Action Corporation, whose mission is to 
change lives and build communities. For his lifetime of commitment to 
fairness and justice, Leonard Tomaszewski is being commended with this 
prestigious award.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my other distinguished colleagues 
join me in commending these individuals for their outstanding 
contributions to Indiana's First Congressional District. Their 
commitment to improving the quality of life for the people of Northwest 
Indiana is truly inspirational and should be recognized and commended.

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