[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 17 (Tuesday, February 5, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E95]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              HONORING MR. JOEL GORELICK ON HIS RETIREMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 5, 2013

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I stand 
before you today to honor Mr. Joel Gorelick on his retirement from his 
position as president and chief administrative officer of Peoples Bank. 
Joel's many years of dedication and expertise in the banking industry 
have been a remarkable asset to the community of northwest Indiana. In 
honor of Joel's retirement, a reception will be held on Friday, January 
25, 2013, at Briar Ridge Country Club in Schererville, Indiana.
  Joel Gorelick was born and raised in northwest Indiana and graduated 
from Ball State University. He went on to receive a master's degree in 
business administration from Indiana University and also attended the 
Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin at Madison. 
In 1983, Mr. Gorelick joined Peoples Bank as the vice president for 
commercial lending. In this role, Joel was able to effectively develop 
the bank's commercial line of business and established Peoples Bank as 
a leader in small business lending. For his tremendous success, he was 
awarded the Small Business Advocate award from the Entrepreneurial 
Excellence program, hosted by the Northwest Indiana Small Business 
Development Center, and was named the 2000 Board Member of the Year by 
the National Association of Development Companies. In 2005, Joel was 
promoted to president and chief administrative officer of Peoples Bank. 
He played a major role in the development of the corporate office in 
Munster, Indiana and in the expansion of the bank throughout Lake and 
Porter Counties. Joel Gorelick is known for his energetic dedication to 
serving the people of the community and has been called a mentor and 
coach for the bank's personnel.
  Ever a good man of business, Joel realized that his responsibility 
was not simply to ensure the success of Peoples Bank, but to leave the 
world better than he found it. Mr. Gorelick selflessly and passionately 
gives of his time through his involvement in various community 
organizations and civic activities, including the Northwest Indiana 
Regional Development Company, the Indiana Bankers Association, the Lake 
County Economic Development Corporation, and the Boys and Girls Club of 
Northwest Indiana, for which he is currently providing direction to the 
executive committee of the Tolleston Project, a campaign to build a new 
home for the Boys and Girls Club in Gary, Indiana.
  Joel's excellence in his field and commitment to charitable endeavors 
throughout the community is exceeded only by his devotion to his 
amazing family. Joel and his wonderful wife, Marcia, have two beloved 
sons and two grandchildren.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my other distinguished colleagues join me 
in honoring Joel Gorelick for his lifetime of leadership and service to 
the community. His constant effort to improve the quality of life for 
the people of northwest Indiana is truly inspirational. Joel has been 
able to positively impact the lives of countless individuals and is 
worthy of the highest praise. I ask that you join me in wishing him 
well upon his retirement.

                          ____________________