[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 156 (Thursday, December 2, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2034-E2035]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               SOCIETY OF INNOVATORS OF NORTHWEST INDIANA

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 2, 2010

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Madam Speaker, it is my distinct honor to commend Ivy 
Tech Community College of Indiana Northwest and its regional partners, 
who recently celebrated their 6th Annual ``Spirit of Innovation'' 
Induction Ceremony in which twenty individuals and nine teams were 
inducted as members of the 2010-2011 class of the Society of Innovators 
of Northwest Indiana. Six individuals were selected from these new 
members and inducted as Society Fellows for their exceptional efforts 
in innovation. These individuals are: Ralph W. Braun, the late Robert 
H. Forney, Jr., P. Scott Bening, Howard Cohen, Ph.D., Tom Sourlis, and 
Ernest Talarico, Jr., Ph.D. Also honored were two Chanute Prize team 
recipients: ``Exploration Earth: Mission Ocean'' and ``Dage-MTI.'' For 
their outstanding efforts, these honorees were recognized at an award 
and induction ceremony sponsored by The Society of Innovators. This 
prestigious event took place at the Pavilion Ballrooms at the Horseshoe 
Casino in Hammond, Indiana, on Thursday, October 21, 2010.
  The Society of Innovators of Northwest Indiana was created by Ivy 
Tech Community College with the goal of highlighting and encouraging 
innovative individuals and groups within

[[Page E2035]]

the non-for-profit, public, and private sectors, as well as building a 
``Culture of Innovation'' in Northwest Indiana. The importance of 
innovation in Northwest Indiana, as well as globally, is crucial in 
today's ever-changing economy.
  The six Fellows selected by the Society of Innovators were chosen for 
their remarkable diversity of innovation and the impact of their 
efforts throughout the community of Northwest Indiana. The 2010-2011 
individuals named Society Fellows are as follows:
  Ralph W. Braun is the CEO of The Braun Corporation in Winamac. Ralph 
is truly an inspiration. His personal challenge, being dependent upon a 
wheelchair for mobility, has inspired him to create a corporation that 
has become the largest manufacturer of wheelchair accessible mini-vans 
and lifts in the world. The late Robert H. Forney, Jr. is the former 
President and CEO of the Chicago Stock Exchange, Inc. Mr. Forney 
founded the Chicago-based Global FoodBanking Network, a foundation set 
up to fight hunger worldwide, in which independent food banks were 
established and work with over 30 countries. Tom Sourlis of MotarNet in 
Burns Harbor created a proper drainage system for masonry walls, 
changing the masonry construction industry. This original idea led to 
major support for local non-profit organizations. P. Scott Bening is 
the President and CEO of Monosol in Merrillville. His company has 
become the global leader in specialty water-soluble, polymer-based film 
manufacturing. His facilities are currently located in Portage, 
LaPorte, and Hartlebury, England. Howard Cohen, Ph.D., is the 
Chancellor of Purdue University Calumet (PUC) in Hammond. Throughout 
his tenure he has been the inspiration behind turning PUC into ``a high 
quality, regional, full-service University.'' Ernest Talarico, Jr. 
Ph.D., is the founder of the International Human Cadaver Prosection 
Program, a program that prepares cadavers for study with the goal of 
encouraging respect for donors and families. This program is based at 
Indiana University Northwest (IUN) and has brought professionals from 
around the world to Gary.
  The recipients of the Chanute Prize for team innovation are: 
``Exploration Earth: Mission Ocean'' and ``Dage-MTI.'' ``Exploration 
Earth: Mission Ocean'' is a submarine stimulation program geared toward 
enhancing the development of science, technology, engineering, and 
mathematics (STEM) skills in elementary and middle school students. The 
Center for Science and Technology Education at PUC hosts this program, 
which is currently being expanded nationwide with a major grant from 
the U.S. Navy. ``Dage-MTI'' is a camera company located in Michigan 
City and is the oldest camera company in the United States. Current 
owners, John and Peggy Moore, rescued the store as it was about to 
close its doors seven years ago. ``Dage-MTI'' now offers some of the 
finest digital cameras for microscopic research in the world.
  Madam Speaker, I ask you and my distinguished colleagues to join me 
in commending these outstanding innovators on being named Society 
Fellows and Chanute Prize winners. Their dedication and commitment to 
innovation is truly an inspiration. Their years of hard work have 
played a major role in shaping future development in Northwest Indiana 
and communities worldwide, and each recipient is worthy of the highest 
praise.

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