[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 56 (Wednesday, April 18, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E565-E566]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING THE NORTHWEST INDIANA BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY HALL OF FAME'S 
                             CLASS OF 2012

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 18, 2012

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is with deep respect and admiration 
that I rise to commend five exceptional business leaders from Northwest 
Indiana who were recently honored as the Northwest Indiana Business and 
Industry Hall of Fame's Class of 2012. Created by The Times and 
BusINess magazine, induction into the Indiana Business and Industry 
Hall of Fame is determined by a panel of local civic and business 
leaders. While there were many deserving nominees, the individuals 
selected as the 2012 Indiana Business and Industry Hall of Fame 
inductees are: Milford Christenson, Wil Davis, Linda Woloshansky, Tom 
Gryzbek, and Steve Pangere. For their many contributions to the 
enhancement of Northwest Indiana, these honorees were recognized at a 
ceremony that took place at the Radisson Hotel at Star Plaza in 
Merrillville, Indiana, on Friday, March 9, 2012.
  Milford Christenson, of Highland, is the president of Christenson 
Chevrolet. For decades he has been a leader in the philanthropic 
community of Northwest Indiana. Milford served in the United States 
Army during World War II as a member of General Patton's Third Army and 
earned a Bronze Star for his service. A 1947 graduate of Indiana 
University, he is a proud member of the Indiana University Alumni 
Association. In 1951, Mr. Christenson and his family purchased a 
Chevrolet dealership in Griffith and, twelve years later, moved to 
their current location on Indianapolis Boulevard in Highland. 
Christenson Chevrolet was named Indiana Dealer of the Year by Time 
magazine in 2001. Milford Christenson's story is proof that with hard 
work and determination, anything is possible.
  Wil Davis, of Gary, is the owner/operator of the Gary Jet Center, 
located at the Gary/Chicago International Airport. A Brooklyn native, 
Wil graduated from Cornell University and later entered the United 
States Navy. After serving on active duty during the Vietnam War, Mr. 
Davis joined the Navy Reserve and served until 1987. In 1989, he 
visited the Gary Airport, and one year later, Wil and his wife, Jean, 
along with two partners, purchased a small regional airline and moved 
its base of operations to Gary. Since then, he has developed the Gary 
Jet Center into a growing and thriving business, which is a tremendous 
benefit to the citizens of Northwest Indiana.
  Linda Woloshansky, of Ogden Dunes, is the president and chief 
executive officer of The Center of Workforce Innovations in Valparaiso. 
An East Chicago native, Ms. Woloshansky graduated from Andrean High 
School and Indiana University. Linda learned early on that good 
employment opportunities allow people

[[Page E566]]

to obtain a better quality of life. Her career has been dedicated to 
the service of others by improving the educational attainment, 
workforce viability, and economic development of Northwest Indiana.
  Tom Gryzbek, of Dyer, is the president of Franciscan Saint Margaret 
Health in Hammond and Dyer. Mr. Gryzbek earned a degree from the 
University of Illinois in 1974. Mr. Gryzbek has also earned a master's 
degree in business administration from Indiana University Northwest and 
a law degree from DePaul University College of Law. Soon after 
graduating, he joined the former Saint Margaret Hospital as a 
suggestion plan manager. Tom has since made his way up the ranks of the 
organization, serving in numerous capacities, including executive vice 
president and chief operating officer of Saint Margaret Mercy. In 2004, 
Tom was deservedly appointed to his current position. He also serves 
the religious community of Northwest Indiana as a Gary Diocese deacon 
at Saint Andrew the Apostle Parish in Merrillville.
  Steve Pangere, of Crown Point, is the president and chief executive 
officer of The Pangere Corporation and Culver Roofing Incorporated, 
both located in Gary. The Pangere Corporation was founded by Steve's 
grandfather, John Pangere, who opened the company in Gary after 
arriving to the Calumet Region from Greece in 1905. Steve Pangere hopes 
his sons, Nick and Tony, will someday take over the company, making it 
a fourth generation family business. Steve Pangere has managed to lead 
a successful corporation while battling the effects of progressive 
vision loss due to Rod-Cone Dystrophy. He is an advocate and an 
inspiration to the visually impaired and has contributed to many worthy 
causes around the Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana region.
  Mr. Speaker, the lives of every citizen living in Northwest Indiana 
has been enriched because of the selfless good work of these five 
extraordinary individuals. I ask you and my distinguished colleagues to 
join me in commending these outstanding leaders on their induction into 
the Indiana Business and Industry Hall of Fame. These individuals are 
most deserving of being named the Class of 2012, and for their 
leadership and commitment to the Northwest Indiana community, each of 
them is worthy of our respect and admiration.

                          ____________________