[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 85 (Wednesday, May 23, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1138-E1139]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




TRIBUTE TO OUTSTANDING VALPARAISO, INDIANA NOON KIWANIS CLUB VOLUNTEERS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 23, 2007

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Madam Speaker, it is my distinct honor to commend nine 
exceptional individuals from Northwest Indiana who have been recognized 
as outstanding volunteers by the Valparaiso, Indiana Noon Kiwanis Club. 
These individuals are: Judy Back, Elizabeth ``Bette'' Brown, Bob Buhle, 
Chelsey Dunleavy, Michele Hale, Sandy Jenkins, Beverly Overmyer, Pat 
Puffer, and Rob Thorgren. These honorees will be recognized at the 
Sixth Annual Valparaiso Kiwanis Club Foundation Volunteer Recognition 
Program, which will be held on Wednesday, May 30, 2007, at the 
Strongbow Inn in Valparaiso. This annual event recognizes the efforts 
of outstanding community volunteers and celebrates the spirit of 
volunteerism in Valparaiso.
  Judy Back, of the Salvation Army, has been a constant role model and 
a true inspiration to her community through her many volunteer efforts. 
Having served on and chaired many boards throughout the years, Judy has 
been extremely active in her efforts with the Porter County Angel Tree 
Program, a program that provides children with gifts and families with 
food for the holidays. Judy has also been active in many other facets 
of the Salvation Army, as well as the Purdue North Central Women's 
Association, of which she was the founding president.
  Bette Brown, a retired teacher with the Valparaiso Community Schools, 
has enriched the lives of countless students over the years. Since her 
retirement, she has continued to volunteer at Valparaiso High School, 
serving as front desk person. In this capacity, Bette is in charge of 
greeting visitors and guiding them on their visits. In addition, she 
plays an important role in the safety of the students by making sure 
that all visitors are authorized and accounted for. Furthermore, Bette 
has been active in the Valparaiso Organization for Learning and 
Teaching Seniors (VOLTS) program, as well as the Lyric Opera Lecture 
Corps, a program aimed at introducing children to classical music.
  Bob Buhle has served in many capacities for the Hilltop Neighborhood 
House for several years, including Board President and Vice President. 
In addition, he has been instrumental in the construction of the 
Hilltop Community Health Center, as well as a dedicated member of the 
organization's Board Development Committee and Finance and Audit 
Committee. Not only has Bob dedicated himself to Hilltop, he has also 
donated much of his time and efforts to Habitat for Humanity.
  Chelsey Dunleavy, a peer tutor in the Life Skills Program at 
Valparaiso High School, has served as President of the HOPE Club for 
the past two years. As a volunteer in the Life Skills Program, Chelsey 
devotes her spare time to helping students with special needs. As 
President of the HOPE Club, she plans and supervises activities and 
events and does so in a manner that allows everyone to participate. 
Chelsey is also very active in her church, where she teaches Sunday 
school, as well as in various other programs at Valparaiso High School. 
In performing any tasks, Chelsea is known for her ability to excel far 
beyond any expectations, and more impressively, to do so without 
expecting anything in return.
  An avid runner, Michele Hale, has been a volunteer with Opportunity 
Enterprises for the past seven years. Pairing her love for long-
distance running with her commitment to serve her community, Michele 
leads the Opportunity Enterprises' Lake County Marathon Training Team 
and also serves as the organizer for an annual charity bike run. 
Michele also serves as President of the Calumet Region Striders and 
contributes much of her efforts to the Cancer Foundation, the Muscular 
Dystrophy Association, and Saint Jude's Children's Hospital.
  Sandy Jenkins, a volunteer for the Porter Auxiliary, has contributed 
countless hours to the organization and the people it serves. While her 
primary duty is to provide information for visitors at the front desk, 
Sandy has always welcomed additional responsibilities with the 
Auxiliary and has served in a secretarial capacity and in public 
relations as well. For her efforts and her unwavering dedication to the 
Porter Auxiliary, Sandy has even been featured in the Stay Healthy 
magazine.
  A volunteer with the Independent Cat Society, Beverly Overmyer has 
fully dedicated herself to the organization. Among other roles, Beverly 
has served on the Board of Directors, as Corresponding Secretary, 
writer for the Mewsletter, room parent, co-chair of the public 
relations committee, and in many fundraising capacities. Though 
extremely committed to the Independent Cat Society, Beverly also finds 
time to volunteer for the Taltree Arboretum, where she serves as an 
instructor and prepares materials for field trips, and is very active 
in the Kankakee Valley Historical Society.
  Pat Puffer is being honored for her many efforts in the community, 
most notably, her work with the Porter-Starke Services Foundation.

[[Page E1139]]

Pat has served the foundation in various capacities, such as board 
member and sponsorship and silent auction committee member for the Art 
of Healing Gala. Passionate about her service to the community, Pat has 
been involved not only with Porter-Starke, but with numerous other 
organizations and fundraising efforts, including: the Valparaiso Ethics 
Committee, Parkinson Style Show, American Heart Association, Valparaiso 
YMCA, Children's Museum of Valparaiso, United Way of Porter County, 
Crisis Center, Boys and Girls Club, American Cancer Society, and 
Special Kids Special Needs, to name a few.
  Rob Thorgren has been a volunteer with the Valparaiso YMCA for the 
past five years. A leader within the organization and his community, 
Rob has served in many capacities with the YMCA. He has served on the 
Board of Directors, as a Strong Kids Campaigner, and as a special 
events volunteer. Additionally, he has served as a member of the 
Capital Campaign Development Committee and the Building Committee for 
the new Valparaiso Family YMCA.
  Madam Speaker, I ask you and my distinguished colleagues to join me 
in commending these outstanding individuals on their recognition as 
honored volunteers by the Valparaiso Kiwanis Club Foundation. Their 
years of service and dedication have played a major role in shaping the 
future of Northwest Indiana, and each of the honorees is truly an 
inspiration to us all.

                          ____________________