[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 122 (Tuesday, September 27, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1956]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO ELMER STOCKER

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MIKE PENCE

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 27, 2005

  Mr. PENCE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask that the members of the 
House of Representatives allow me to bring to their attention the good 
works of a man who has long been active in the rural electrification 
program in Indiana and who is now approaching his well-deserved 
opportunity to retire from the field. While his retirement will leave a 
large void of experience, activity and judgment for rural electrics in 
Indiana, and for his community in Indiana, which will not be easy to 
replace, today's comments are meant to remind us all of the many people 
around our nation whose unceasing efforts contribute to the betterment 
of our quality of life.
  Mr. Elmer Stocker, currently the CEO of the Indiana Statewide 
Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives, Inc., will retire on 
December 31, 2005. He will end nearly 40 years of service in the 
electric industry. During that time Mr. Stocker has worked his way up 
through the ranks from entry-level position to industry leader. He 
began service with Whitley County REMC in 1966 in the dispatch and work 
order department of the cooperative. Over the years he also worked in 
the accounting, member services and marketing departments, developing a 
hands-on appreciation of all aspects of the electric utility business, 
and working with customers on their needs and expectations. In 1975 he 
became Assistant Manager, and in 1976 he began working as executive 
vice president/general manager of Whitley County REMC. During that time 
he not only ran the daily operations of his cooperative, but used his 
talents as a leader to serve as president of the REMC Managers 
Association in Indiana and as president of the Board of Directors of 
Wabash Valley Power Association, the generation and transmission 
cooperative that provides wholesale power to cooperatives throughout 
central and northern Indiana.
  In 1986 Mr. Stocker left Whitley County REMC to work for 11 years at 
Wabash Valley power, where he was vice president of member and 
corporate relations and vice president of marketing. During that time 
he also moved onto the regional stage, serving a term as vice president 
of the Great Lakes Electric Consumers Association.
  In 1997 the board of directors of Indiana Statewide, recognizing Mr. 
Stocker's knowledge of the program and respect among his peers at a 
time when the electric industry was facing tumultuous change, asked Mr. 
Stocker to serve as CEO of the trade group. He took up that leadership 
role from 1997 until this day.

  This impressive record of professional achievement is only a part of 
Mr. Stocker's role in the American community however. During this time 
of advancement in his employment, Mr. Stocker also engaged in numerous 
personal and civic activities that are even better representative of 
the qualities that are at the foundation of American communities. For 
example, Mr. Stocker pursued post-secondary education while holding a 
full time job, and received his bachelor degree from Indiana University 
in 1975. He served in the Army National Guard from 1964 to 1970.
  As a community leader, Mr. Stocker took on the role of Whitley County 
United Way Drive Chairman. He joined and rose through the ranks of the 
Masons and Scottish rite. He served as an officer of the Aboite 
Township Community Association and as president of the Times Comer 
Little League. He was a long time active member and volunteer in the 
Columbia City United Methodist Church, and was a member of the board 
for the Carmel Dad's Club. Among all these roles, he fit in time to 
join the Indianapolis Airport Rotary Club as well.
  As a family man, a community volunteer, and a professional member of 
the electric utility industry in Indiana, Elmer Stocker has exemplified 
the best values of American life for many years now. I wanted to share 
with the members today that this good man will soon enjoy the 
satisfaction of reaping the rewards of his long service through a well-
deserved retirement, in which I am sure he will continue to volunteer 
good works. Thank you for indulging me in this time today, and 
especially thank you to Elmer Stocker for all he has given to our proud 
State of Indiana.

                          ____________________