[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 45 (Monday, March 19, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E377-E378]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        CELEBRATING STATE REPRESENTATIVE CHET DOBIS'S RETIREMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 19, 2012

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is with immense gratitude and the 
utmost respect that I take this time to honor a dear friend and one of 
Indiana's finest citizens, the Honorable Chet Dobis, Indiana State 
Representative. For his many years of public service and his countless 
efforts toward improving the lives of Northwest Indiana residents, Chet 
will be honored at a celebratory reception at Gamba's Ristorante in 
Merrillville, Indiana, on Monday, March 19, 2012.

[[Page E378]]

  Chet Dobis, a resident of Northwest Indiana, attended Merrillville 
High School and went on to further his education at Indiana University 
Northwest in Gary. He also studied at the University of Wisconsin, 
undertaking graduate coursework. In the years to follow, Chet, through 
hard work and acumen, would become a vice president at Bank One. He has 
also worked with the Indiana National Guard and the Gary Sportsmen 
Club. Representative Dobis was elected to the Indiana House of 
Representatives in 1970 and has represented the people of Indiana House 
District 13 for the past forty-two years. Over the years, he has been a 
strong leader in the development of Northwest Indiana and has always 
been a true advocate for the citizens of his district. Among his major 
accomplishments, Chet was extremely helpful in the establishment of 
Merrillville, Indiana as a town. He also played a pivotal role in the 
creation of the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority (RDA). 
This agency has been charged with implementing catalytic economic 
development projects throughout Lake and Porter counties. 
Representative Dobis's hard work has materialized as the RDA works with 
local communities to transform the south shore of Lake Michigan and to 
expand the Gary/Chicago International Airport. Throughout his career in 
the Indiana General Assembly, Chet has served as the House Assistant 
Minority Floor Leader and Speaker Pro Tempore. His current legislative 
committees include the Committee on Courts and Criminal Code and the 
Committee on Financial Institutions, and he serves as Chair of the 
Select Committee on Government Reduction. For his passionate commitment 
and continuous support to Northwest Indiana, Representative Dobis is to 
be highly commended.
  In addition to his exemplary career, Chet is involved in numerous 
community and charitable organizations. He has served on the Executive 
Board of the Northwest Indiana Regional Planning Commission and as a 
member of the Indiana University Northwest Advisory Board.
  Representative Dobis's dedication to Northwest Indiana is noteworthy; 
however, it is his commitment to his family that is most impressive. 
Chet and his wonderful wife, Darlene, have two beloved children, Aaron 
and Ashley, and one adoring granddaughter, Teagan.
  I am honored to call Chet Dobis a friend, and we should all be 
blessed with such wonderful friendships. More importantly, Chet has 
been a friend to all, a gentleman in the truest sense of that word, and 
the epitome of a public servant. His is a life we should all seek to 
emulate.
  Mr. Speaker, I respectfully ask that you and my other distinguished 
colleagues join me in honoring Indiana State Representative Chet Dobis 
for his outstanding devotion to Northwest Indiana and in wishing him 
well upon his retirement. Chet's unselfish, lifelong dedication and 
exceptional contributions to the community are worthy of the highest 
praise, and it has been a pleasure to work with him throughout his 
years in office.

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