[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 17 (Wednesday, January 28, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E165]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HOBART CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AWARD WINNERS

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                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 28, 2009

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Madam Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I stand 
before you today to recognize the Hobart Chamber of Commerce award 
winners for 2008 and to congratulate one of its member businesses, 
Burns Funeral Home, as they celebrate a momentous milestone, 100 years 
of excellent service. These outstanding recipients will be honored 
during the Chamber's annual awards and installation banquet, which will 
take place on Thursday, January 29, 2009, at the Avalon Manor in 
Merrillville, Indiana.
  The Hobart Chamber of Commerce utilizes members of the community in 
order to improve and develop business, industry, and the professions. 
Each year, the Chamber members and friends gather together to honor the 
Business Award Winners, Volunteers of the Year, and to commemorate 
specific accomplishments within the community.
  Continuing a tradition that goes back well over 50 years, the Chamber 
will honor its 2008 Business Award Winners. The Large Business of the 
Year award recipient is Saint Mary's Medical Center. The hospital 
continues to be a leader in providing outstanding health services to 
the community. For the fourth consecutive year, Saint Mary's Medical 
Center has also won the 2008 Distinguished Hospital for Patient Safety. 
The Small Business of the Year award recipient is Sebo's Nursing and 
Rehabilitation Center. This outstanding facility has grown into a 138-
bed facility offering clinical services, specialty programming for 
Alzheimer's and Dementia patients, rehabilitation services, and many 
other amenities. The New Business of the Year award is being presented 
to 54 Main Bistro. The owners, Dave and Linda Papp, renovated an 1895 
Victorian home and turned it into a local favorite that is known for 
its weekly changing menu. Each business is dedicated to providing 
excellent business to the community and for that reason, they are to be 
commended.
  The Hobart Chamber of Commerce will honor the Herrick Family with the 
Volunteers of the Year award. Dr. James Herrick, his wife Janet 
Herrick, and their daughter Cheryl Herrick have been dedicated 
volunteers in Hobart for many years. The family continues to be a 
staple in the community, donating their time and effort to numerous 
special events, fundraisers, the Kiwanis Club, Little League, and the 
community's school system, to name a few. For their selfless commitment 
to their community, I congratulate the Herrick family on this 
prestigious award.
  The Hobart Chamber of Commerce will also congratulate Burns Funeral 
Home as they celebrate their 100th anniversary. In 1908, James E. Burns 
opened his first funeral home in Hammond, Indiana. His business was 
founded on providing compassionate care to the friends and families of 
the departed during their time of need. It was this principle that 
allowed the Burns family to expand to Gary, Hobart, and finally to 
Crown Point in the 1980s. Today, the family owned and operated business 
provides the same exceptional services, and I commend Terry, Sally, 
Jim, Patrick, and Jimmy Burns, and their entire staff on continuing the 
legacy of Mr. Burns.
  Madam Speaker, at this time, I ask that you and my other 
distinguished colleagues join me in honoring the Hobart Chamber of 
Commerce 2008 Business Award Winners, Volunteers of the Year, and also 
in congratulating the Burns family and their team on the 100th 
anniversary of Burns Funeral Home. For their dedication and commitment 
to the community of Hobart as well as Northwest Indiana, they are all 
worthy of the honors bestowed upon them.

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