[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 80 (Tuesday, May 15, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1048]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO LISA RAE AUSTGEN

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                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 15, 2007

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Madam Speaker, it is my distinct honor to take this 
time to remember one of northwest Indiana's most distinguished 
citizens, Lisa Rae Austgen of Lowell, Indiana. Lisa's numerous 
contributions to her community are worthy of the highest admiration, 
especially her service as the director of the Challenger Center of 
Northwest Indiana in Hammond, Indiana. Lisa passed away on Friday, May 
11, 2007, and following services at the Sheets Funeral Home in Lowell, 
she will be laid to rest on Tuesday, May 15, 2007, at Plum Grove 
Cemetery, also in Lowell.
  Lisa was an integral part of the success of the Challenger Learning 
Center of Northwest Indiana. Housed on the Purdue University--Calumet 
campus in Hammond, Indiana, the Challenger Learning Center provides a 
worthwhile educational resource to area schools. Under Lisa's 
direction, this 8-year old program has opened the window to space 
exploration to students who might otherwise have no exposure to our 
final frontier.
  Lisa's passion for the Challenger Learning Center of Northwest 
Indiana is entwined into the legacy of this program. Completely devoted 
to improving and modernizing educational, opportunities for children, 
Lisa created programs at the center that simulated space missions, 
integrating information provided by the National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration, NASA, into real-life missions controlled and operated 
by students. These missions not only offered students the chance to 
experience life as astronauts, but also taught valuable life skills, 
such as teamwork and cooperation, that they are able to apply to other 
facets of their academic development.
  Thanks to Lisa's selfless dedication to actively pursuing funding for 
the center, thousands of students throughout the First Congressional 
District have had the unique opportunity to participate in the programs 
at the center which instill and increase students' enthusiasm for 
science, math, and technology. Further, her innovative approach to 
education fomented a genuine excitement among the students' attitudes 
toward math and science. Lisa was truly the backbone of the Challenger 
Learning Center and will be sorely missed by all the individuals with 
whom she worked so diligently to provide this resource to the region.
  Lisa is survived by her loving husband, Tom; two sons: Ethan and 
Ryan; one daughter, Cassie Karney; mother, Karen Stover of Elwood, IN; 
father, Max (Mary) Stover of Kokomo, IN; one brother, Mike (Billie) 
Stover of Elwood, IN; one sister, Jennifer (Shaun) Boetjjer of 
Galveston, IN; and several nieces and nephews. Lisa also leaves to 
cherish her memory many other family members and friends who will 
forever remember her devotion to, not only her community, but to her 
family as well.
  Madam Speaker, I respectfully ask that you and my other distinguished 
colleagues join me in honoring Mrs. Lisa Austgen for her outstanding 
devotion to Indiana's First Congressional District. Her unselfish and 
lifelong dedication to the young people of northwest Indiana is worthy 
of the highest commendation. Lisa's selflessness was an inspiration to 
us all, and I am proud to have represented her in Congress.

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