[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 6 (Tuesday, January 18, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E60]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 GREATER VALPARAISO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS AWARD WINNERS FOR 2010

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                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 18, 2011

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I stand 
before you today to recognize the Greater Valparaiso Chamber of 
Commerce business award winners for 2010 and to congratulate the 2010 
Distinguished Community Leader Award recipient, Mr. Bruce Leetz, and 
the 2010 Legacy of Service Award recipient, Mr. Larry Klemz. These 
outstanding recipients were honored during the Chamber's annual 
``Salute to Leadership'' dinner that took place on Saturday, January 
15, 2011, at Strongbow Inn in Valparaiso, Indiana.
  The Greater Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce utilizes members of the 
community in order to improve the quality of life within the community 
of Valparaiso through business development and community service. Each 
year, Chamber members and friends gather together to honor the 
recipients of the Distinguished Community Award and the Legacy of 
Service Award.
  This year, the Greater Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce honored its 
2010 Business Award Winners. Peoples Bank and Urschel Laboratories were 
honored with the 100 Years in Business award. The 75 Years in Business 
award was given to Lincoln Office, L.L.C., and the recipient of the 50 
Years in Business award is G.E. Marshall, Inc. Each business is 
dedicated to providing excellent business to the community and for that 
reason, they are to be commended.
  The 2010 Distinguished Community Leader Award recipient is Bruce 
Leetz. A graduate of Valparaiso High School and Ball State University, 
Bruce is the President and Chief Executive Officer of North Coast 
Distributing and has been employed with the company for over 45 years. 
A local, family-owned beer wholesaler since 1939, North Coast, formerly 
Valpo Beverages, Incorporated, has become one of the premier 
distributors in the Midwest under Bruce's leadership. In addition to 
his successful career, Bruce has continuously been an active 
participant in his community, having served on the boards of the 
Northwest Indiana Forum, the Greater Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce, 
and the Northwest Indiana Entrepreneurship Academy. He is also a past 
president of the Porter County United Way and the Valparaiso Rotary 
Club, and he is a Ruling Elder at First Presbyterian Church of 
Valparaiso. For his outstanding dedication to serving his community, 
Bruce is worthy of the highest praise.
  Larry Klemz is the recipient of the 2010 Legacy of Service Award. 
Larry received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business from Valparaiso 
University. During school and following graduation, Larry worked for 
Home Mountain Publishing, which he purchased in 1978. He previously 
bought a small printing company in Valparaiso named the Herald Press 
and merged the two businesses together. Larry serves as President of 
his company, which is known today as Home Mountain Printing. Larry's 
leadership and dedication to his company has made Home Mountain 
Printing an industry leader in Northwest Indiana. Additionally, Larry 
spends much time and effort giving back to the community. He has served 
on numerous boards including: The Family and Youth Services Bureau, 
Porter County United Way, Valparaiso Rotary Club, Valparaiso YMCA, and 
the Greater Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce. Currently, he serves with 
the Porter County Museum Advisory Council and the Public Education 
Foundation of Valparaiso. Larry's continuous devotion to his community 
is to be admired.
  Mr. Speaker, clearly Bruce and Larry have not only been wonderfully 
successful in their chosen endeavors, but they have lived selfless 
lives. They know, as Charles Dickens wrote ``the common welfare was 
[their] business; charity, mercy, forbearance, benevolence, were all 
[their] business.''
  At this time, I ask that you and my other distinguished colleagues 
join me in honoring the Greater Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce 2010 
Business Award Winners, as well as Bruce Leetz and Larry Klemz. For 
their dedication and commitment to the community of Valparaiso as well 
as Northwest Indiana, they are all worthy of the honors bestowed upon 
them.

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