[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 15 (Tuesday, February 2, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E126]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HOBART CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 2009 AWARD WINNERS

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                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 2, 2010

  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 2009. These distinguished recipients will be honored during 
the Chamber's annual awards and installation banquet, which will take 
place on Thursday, February 4, 2010, at River Pointe Country Club in 
Hobart, 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 
outstanding businesses and volunteers, and to commemorate specific 
accomplishments within the community. This year, the Chamber will honor 
the memory of Nancy Norris and Shirley Campbell, two remarkable 
individuals whose impact on the Hobart community will leave a lasting 
impression.
  Continuing a tradition that dates back more than fifty years, the 
Chamber will honor its 2009 Outstanding Businesses. The first of the 
2009 Outstanding Business award recipients is Alligator Construction. 
Alligator Construction first opened its doors nine years ago. Owners 
Dave and Maryann Ferner credit the support of their community for 
allowing them to grow from a window and siding company to a total 
remodeling company. Throughout Hobart and beyond, Alligator 
Construction's quality craftsmanship and commitment to meeting the 
customers' demands can be seen in the many successful projects they 
have undertaken. Regional Federal Credit Union, founded in 1961, is 
also being recognized as an Outstanding Business for 2009. Regional 
Federal Credit Union continues to flourish as a company committed to 
community involvement and volunteerism, as well as the promotion of 
financial education in the school system. The company has seen success 
and growth throughout Northwest Indiana by providing the community with 
excellent service in meeting the needs of their customers. The final 
Outstanding Business for 2009 is Strack and Van Til. What began in 1959 
as a partnership between Nick Van Til and Ernie Strack, two local 
grocery store owners, has emerged as an organization now boasting an 
astonishing thirty supermarket locations throughout Indiana and 
Illinois. Priding itself on quality products and quality service, 
Strack and Van Til has been a leader not only in the grocery business 
but in the Northwest Indiana community as well. Each of these fine 
businesses is truly worthy of this tremendous honor.
  During this year's banquet, the Hobart Chamber of Commerce will honor 
Ms. Virginia Curtis with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Ms. Curtis, a 
longtime resident of Hobart, has been a member of the Chamber for more 
than thirty years and currently serves on its board of directors. Ms. 
Curtis is credited as the driving force behind the city's Independence 
Day festivities and was even selected in 2009 as the Grand Marshal for 
the parade. Well known for her work as a staff writer for several local 
newspapers, Ms. Curtis also owned a local restaurant and now serves as 
the president of the Hobart Community Improvement Committee. For her 
selfless commitment to her community, I congratulate Ms. Virginia 
Curtis on this prestigious award.
  The Hobart Chamber of Commerce will also congratulate Saint Mary 
Medical Center for an astonishing 103 years of service to the Northwest 
Indiana community. The hospital continues to be a leader in the 
healthcare field and has maintained excellence in providing quality 
care to those in need. For its outstanding service, Saint Mary Medical 
Center has received countless awards, including the Distinguished 
Hospital for Patient Safety Award and the 2008 Hobart Chamber of 
Commerce Large Business of the Year award. For their many years of 
service and for the many lives its dedicated staff has improved, I 
commend the Saint Mary Medical Center.
  Madam Speaker, at this time, I ask that you and my other 
distinguished colleagues join me in honoring the Hobart Chamber of 
Commerce 2009 award winners. 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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