[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 130 (Wednesday, September 5, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1803]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO JOSEPH BECKMAN

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, September 5, 2007

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Madam Speaker, it is with pleasure that I stand before 
you today to recognize and congratulate Mr. Joseph Beckman as he 
celebrates an extraordinary milestone, the 100th anniversary of his 
company, Home Lumber Company, headquartered in Crown Point, Indiana. To 
commemorate this special occasion, an anniversary celebration took 
place on Friday, August 24, 2007, at the Avalon Manor in Merrillville, 
Indiana.
  A fifth-generation family-owned business, Home Lumber Company was co-
founded by Joe's great-grandfather in 1907. After graduating from 
Indiana University in 1971, Joe worked outside the company for a brief 
period before returning to the company in 1973 as a manager in 
manufacturing, a position he would hold for 8 years. It was during that 
time that Joe, highly regarded within the company and his community, 
was elected president of Home Lumber Company in 1979. From there, Joe 
went on to purchase the company from his father and other stockholders 
in 1982.
  As president and chief executive officer of Home Lumber Company, Joe 
has been responsible for an overwhelming expansion of the business. 
While Joe is quick to credit his outstanding staff for the company's 
success, it is undoubtedly Joe's leadership, as well as his knowledge 
of, passion for, and commitment to his trade, that has been the 
catalyst for such improvements. Since taking over the reins, Joe has 
spearheaded several major expansions, including the addition of a new 
lumberyard in Stevensville, Michigan, the relocation of its main 
facility from Dyer, Indiana, to Crown Point, Indiana, which is where 
Joe now resides, and a new manufacturing facility in Michigan City, 
Indiana. However, these expansions, while quite impressive, do not 
appear to be the end of the company's growth. These new additions, 
paired with Home Lumber Company, have now become the Lumberplus 
Companies. Throughout his tenure, Joe has not lost sight of the goals 
of his father and grandfather, as he has continued to build and improve 
northwest Indiana by developing over 1,000 commercial and industrial 
properties throughout Lake County.
  Aside from his business, Joe has always made it a point to give back 
to the community through his involvement with various service 
organizations, including: the Crown Point Community Foundation, Habitat 
for Humanity, and the Carmelite Home for Girls. Not only has he been 
active in these endeavors, but he has also taken a leadership role, 
serving on several of their executive committees and advisory boards. 
Furthermore, Joe has been active in the economic and educational 
development of his community through his service in several capacities, 
including: president of the Dyer Chamber of Commerce, treasurer of the 
Dyer Economic Development Steering Committee, president of the Dyer 
Economic Development Committee, treasurer of the Lake Central Multi-
District School Building Corporation, and as a member of the Purdue 
University Calumet Chancellor's Advisory Committee.
  For his service and his commitment to improving northwest Indiana, 
both economically and socially, Joe has received many accolades 
throughout the years. Joe was the recipient of the 2005 NLBMA Award for 
Excellence in Human Resources and the 2006 Business Investment Award by 
the Michigan City Economic Development Corporation. Quite an impressive 
accomplishment, in 2001, Joe was also named the Northwest Indiana Small 
Business Person of the Year and Indiana Small Business Person of the 
Year, a distinction that earned him recognition from President George 
W. Bush at a White House reception.
  Madam Speaker, at this time, I ask that you and my other 
distinguished colleagues join me in honoring and congratulating Joseph 
Beckman and his team on the 100th anniversary of Home Lumber Company. 
Joseph and the entire staff at Home Lumber Company are to be commended 
for their dedication to improving northwest Indiana.




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