[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 160 (Tuesday, November 12, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1626-E1627]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING THE ASIAN AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION AND ITS HONOREES

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 12, 2013

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is with sincere admiration that I 
recognize the Asian American Medical Association, which hosted its 37th 
Annual Gala on Saturday, November 9, 2013, at Avalon Manor in 
Merrillville, Indiana. Each year, the Asian American Medical 
Association pays tribute to prominent, outstanding citizens and 
organizations for their contributions to the community. In recognition 
of their efforts, these honorees are awarded the prestigious Crystal 
Globe Award at this annual banquet.
   The Asian American Medical Association has always been a great asset 
to Northwest Indiana. Its members have selflessly dedicated themselves 
to providing quality medical services to the residents of Northwest 
Indiana and have always demonstrated exemplary service through their 
many cultural, scholastic, and charitable endeavors.
   At this year's Annual Gala, the Asian American Medical Association 
presented the Crystal Globe Award to one of Northwest Indiana's finest 
citizens, Theresa Ann Mayerik. For her outstanding contributions to her 
community, she is to be commended.
   In 1976, Theresa Mayerik graduated from the University of Saint 
Francis in Fort Wayne with a bachelor's degree in Spanish and Physical 
Education. She began her teaching career with the Centerville School 
Corporation in central Indiana. While working in Centerville, Theresa 
started the school's first women's basketball program. After two years, 
Theresa returned to her hometown of La Porte, where she spent seven 
years teaching in the La Porte Community School System. During this 
time, Theresa pursued a master's degree in Education from Indiana 
University in South Bend and also completed coursework for an 
administrative license in Education. In 1986, Mrs. Mayerik became the 
assistant principal of Morton High School in Hammond, and after three 
years in this position, she was named the school's principal, a title 
she would hold for the next eighteen years. During her time at Morton, 
Theresa was able to implement the Advanced Placement and the Project 
Lead the Way curricula, increase parental involvement, and develop the 
Freshman Academy. In 2007, she was named Director of Secondary 
Education for the School City of Hammond, and three years later, she 
became Chief Administrator for Academic Services and Secondary 
Education. Among her many accomplishments during her tenure, Theresa 
implemented the Project Lead the Way Pre-Engineering Curriculum in all 
of Hammond's middle and high

[[Page E1627]]

schools and assisted with the development of the Hammond Academy for 
the Performing Arts at Morton High School, as well as the Multimedia 
Broadcast Academy at the Hammond Area Career Center, and the Early 
College Program. In 2010, Theresa authored the Chinese Guest Teachers 
Grant, which assists with the salaries and recruitment of teachers for 
Mandarin Chinese programs in schools in the United States. This program 
has been a success and provides four teachers each year the opportunity 
to teach middle and high school students the Chinese language and 
culture.
   Additionally, Theresa has selflessly given her time to various 
organizations and civic activities, including the Hammond Woodmar 
Kiwanis, the Hammond Education Foundation, and the Hammond YMCA.
   Theresa's excellence in her field and commitment to charitable 
endeavors throughout the community is exceeded only by her devotion to 
her amazing family. Theresa and her husband, Daniel, have two adoring 
children and two beloved grandchildren.
   Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my other distinguished colleagues 
join me in commending the members of the Asian American Medical 
Association, as well as this year's Crystal Globe Award recipient, 
Theresa Ann Mayerik, for their outstanding contributions to the 
community and beyond. Their unwavering commitment to improving the 
quality of life for the people of Northwest Indiana and throughout the 
United States is truly inspirational, and I am proud to serve as their 
representative in Washington, D.C.

                          ____________________