[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 41 (Wednesday, March 20, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E339]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       MEMORIAL TO DONALD HECKARD

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JACKIE WALORSKI

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 20, 2013

  Mrs. WALORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I come to the House floor today with a 
heavy heart; yet, also with personal pride to pay tribute to a great 
American, Hoosier, mentor, and friend to many: Donald H. Heckard. Don 
was born on June 19, 1924, in Cass County, Indiana, and he passed away 
March 1, 2013.
   Countless Hoosier friends marked the passing of an iconic figure who 
cast a significant influence over Indiana politics and vocational 
education for nearly a half century. For many of the current 
generation, Don Heckard was the archetypal Hoosier Republican. 
Conservative in matters of personal and public finance, Don's key to 
success was his ability to assess an issue, make good decisions, and 
apply hard work and dedication to the task at hand. Don spent his 
entire life as a steward of the land in Noble Township, Cass County and 
was proud to be called a farmer. He was also the owner operator of 
Logan City Ice Company for thirty three years. To all those who bought 
ice bags in central Indiana on a hot summer day, Don was known as 
``Logan Ice.''
   With strong beliefs in his community and love of family, Don 
actively served his church in Logansport, Indiana, as a deacon, 
trustee, elder and Sunday school teacher. Don was appointed by then 
Governor Otis Bowen as a State Director and Chairman of the Board of 
the Ivy Tech Community College. Don presided over a period of dramatic 
growth and development of the regional campus program.
   Gerald Gerry Lamkin, President of Ivy Tech Community College, 1983-
2007, in his book, ``Building Indiana's Community College: My 40-Year 
Journey,'' paid tribute to Don Heckard as follows:

        I've written much about Don Heckard of Logansport. Of many 
     exceptional members of the State Board of Trustees, none was 
     better than Heckard. I'm not sure what made him so effective? 
     Perhaps it was that he was a farmer, businessman and 
     politician and good at all of them. (As a district party 
     chair, he sat on the Republican state committee. Political 
     people from across Indiana and the nation sought his advice 
     and still do.) A thoughtful man, he's loyal to friends and 
     associates. He sizes up situations well, consistently makes 
     good decisions, possesses excellent judgment and is 
     unflappable. He doesn't argue for perfection, but does expect 
     effort and effectiveness. These qualities made him an 
     extraordinary trustee.

   Don had a deep love for his country and expressed his patriotism by 
his active involvement in politics. He served as a County Councilman 
for eleven years, and beginning in the 1970s, as Cass County Republican 
Chairman, Second and Fifth Congressional District Chairman during the 
governorships of Otis Bowen and Robert Orr, contributing significantly 
to their election and to Republican control of the legislature during 
the period. Don served as a committed Ford delegate to the GOP National 
Convention that nominated Gerald Ford for the presidency in 1976, and 
subsequently served as State Chairman of Farmers for Ford. As a 
Congressional District chairman, Don served on the Republican State 
Committee and was a delegate to thirteen Indiana Republican State 
Conventions. Don was also a mentor and personal advisor to Congressman 
Steve Buyer for 18 years.
   Indiana has a special way to recognize one of the state's favorite 
sons and daughters by awarding the Sagamore of the Wabash as Indiana's 
highest citizen award. Don was twice an honoree named Sagamore of the 
Wabash, once by Governor Otis Bowen and the other by Governor Robert 
Orr.
   Don was a noble businessman, civic and political leader, and devoted 
family man from what American history has crowned the greatest 
generation. His principles, work ethic, virtues, and values have left 
positive impressions to the betterment of others in a manner in which 
the name of Donald H. Heckard will be forever etched in our National 
Book of Remembrance.

                          ____________________