[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 107 (Thursday, July 16, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1809-E1810]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING MRS. BETTY MORGAVAN

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 16, 2009

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Madam Speaker, it is with great honor and pleasure 
that I stand before you today to recognize Mrs. Betty Morgavan. Betty 
has served the Croatian community in Northwest Indiana and beyond for 
many years, and for her efforts she will be honored at a banquet 
celebrating her 50 years of service to the Croatian Fraternal Union on 
Sunday, July 19, 2009, at the Croatian Fraternal Lodge 170 in 
Merrillville, Indiana. Her complete dedication and her endless 
enthusiasm put forth toward her community and the Croatian Fraternal 
Union has allowed her the opportunity to enrich the lives of countless 
people.
  Betty was born on June 1, 1930, to George and Vica Chelich. Her 
parents immigrated to the United States from Croatia early on in their 
adult life, and they settled in Northwest Indiana. Betty is one of 
three children. She has one brother, John Chelich, and one sister, Ann 
Chelich Lieber, who is a Croatian Fraternal Union Lodge 170 board 
member. As a child, Betty attended Saint Mark's Elementary School and 
went on to graduate from Lew Wallace High School in Gary, Indiana. On 
October 7, 1940, Betty married Vince Morgavan, and they had three 
children, Helen, Ray, and Elizabeth. Betty's husband Vince was her 
counsel, confidant, and her most staunch ally, and they were married 
for almost 57 years. The two shared a wonderful marriage as well as a 
strong desire to help the community.
  In 1959, Betty won her first official position within the lodge when 
she became Club Secretary. It was during those years as Secretary that 
Betty became inspired by her mentor and President of Lodge 170 at the 
time, Nicholas Erbesti. Betty's commitment to the Croatian community 
grew stronger, and she was elected President of Lodge 170 in 1980. 
During her time as President, Betty initiated the sale of the original 
hall on 36th Avenue and Broadway because the members decided they 
needed a larger space for their events and the growing community. 
During the late 1980s, Betty assembled a team of dedicated members to 
build the largest Croatian Fraternal Home in the United States and 
Canada, and to this day there is no lodge in all of the Croatian 
Fraternal Union that has a building of this size. In 1991, the $1.5 
million dollar building opened. It stands as a testament to the hard-
working immigrants who inspired their children to build things they 
themselves could hardly imagine. Under Betty's leadership, Lodge 170 
grew to become the third largest membership lodge in the country. 
Because of her selfless dedication and undying motivation to improve 
this community and to keep the Croatian culture and traditions alive in 
Northwest Indiana as well as nationwide, Betty was re-elected by the 
lodge members for twenty-eight years in a row. She also had the honor 
of being elected to the Croatian Fraternal

[[Page E1810]]

Union National Board for several years. In addition, Betty was also a 
delegate to many of the union's national conventions.
  In 2008, Betty retired from her post as lodge President. Today, Betty 
enjoys spending time with her six grandchildren. She continues to 
remain an inspiration to the Croatian Fraternal Union and continues her 
service as a member. The beloved Croatian community could not have 
asked for a more devoted and loyal servant, and she is worthy of the 
highest praise.
  Madam speaker, Mrs. Betty Morgavan has always given her time and 
efforts selflessly and has truly been an inspiration to so many people 
throughout the years. She continues to be a tremendous source of pride 
for the Croatian community and for the people of Northwest Indiana. I 
respectfully ask you and my other distinguished colleagues to join me 
in commending Betty on her 50 years of service to the Croatian 
Fraternal Lodge 170! ``Hvala Za Sve!'' ``Thanks for Everything!''

                          ____________________