[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 2 (Friday, January 5, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E17]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO MR. DALE ENGQUIST

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 4, 2007

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Madam Speaker, it is with great honor and pleasure 
that I stand before you today to recognize the many years of dedicated 
service of Mr. Dale Engquist. Having known Dale for many years, I can 
truly say that he is one of the most committed, knowledgeable, and 
honorable citizens in Northwest Indiana. Nowhere has his knowledge and 
commitment been more evident than in his faithful service to the 
National Park Service (NPS), and more specifically, to the Indiana 
Dunes National Lakeshore. Dale has served the Northwest Indiana 
community for the past 28 years, and his service to the NPS has spanned 
an astonishing 42 years. For many years, Dale has been a constant 
fixture at the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, and for his efforts, 
he will be honored at a retirement party on Tuesday, January 9, 2007, 
at the Lubeznik Center for the Arts in Michigan City, Indiana.
  Following a summer position at Wind Cave National Park in South 
Dakota, Dale Engquist began his professional career with the NPS in 
1964 at the National Capital Parks in Washington, DC. From there, Dale 
went on to serve as Chief Park Naturalist at Hot Springs National Park 
in Arkansas and then Assistant Chief Park Naturalist at Everglades 
National Park in Florida. Following his departure from Everglades 
National Park in 1971, Dale accepted his first Superintendent position 
at the Biscayne National Monument in Florida. After moving on to other 
managerial positions in New Jersey and Washington, DC, Dale settled in 
Northwest Indiana in 1978, where he served as Assistant Superintendent 
of the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore until January 1983. At that 
time, Dale was named to the distinguished position of Superintendent of 
the National Lakeshore, a position he has held for the past 24 years. 
Over the years, Dale has maintained this post, and he has done so with 
a selfless commitment to nature and to the community. Dale's education, 
knowledge, and experience with the NPS have made him successful and 
respected in all of the positions he has held.
  Indisputably, Dale Engquist has been extremely successful throughout 
his career with the NPS. To attest to this fact, Dale has been the 
recipient of numerous accolades and awards for merit and dedication. In 
1987, he was awarded the Park Planning and Design Award for excellence 
in park design, as well as the Richard G. Lugar Award for recognition 
as an outstanding federal employee in the state of Indiana. In 
addition, Dale has also been honored with the 1991 Superintendent of 
the Year & Resource Stewardship Award, the National Park Service's 75th 
Anniversary Director's Award, the Sagamore of the Wabash, the 
Meritorious Service Award by then-Secretary of the Interior Bruce 
Babbitt, the Polish Cavalry Cross of Merit, and the Chicago Wilderness 
Excellence in Conservation Award.
  Though it may be difficult to imagine where he finds the time, Dale 
has always been involved in several associations and organizations, 
including: the Association of National Park Rangers, the Eastern 
National Parks & Monument Association, the National Park & Recreation 
Association, the Indiana Park & Recreation Association, the Indiana 
Historical Society, the National Audubon Society, and Rotary 
International.
  Madam Speaker, Dale Engquist has devoted himself to improving and 
preserving the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore and serving the people 
of Northwest Indiana throughout his many years of service. At this 
time, I ask that you and all of my distinguished colleagues join me in 
commending him for his lifetime of service and dedication.

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