[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 137 (Wednesday, November 12, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1512-E1513]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      RECOGNIZING THE 2014 DISTINGUISHED CITIZENS AWARD RECIPIENTS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 12, 2014

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is with great respect that I take this 
time to recognize the 2014 Distinguished Citizen Award recipients, 
presented annually by the Boy Scouts of America Calumet Council. To 
commemorate this special occasion, the organization hosted a 
celebratory event on Monday, November 3, 2014, at the Center for Visual 
and Performing Arts in Munster, Indiana.
   Since 1992, the Boy Scouts of America Calumet Council has presented 
the Distinguished Citizen Award to individuals who have made a 
significant positive impact on the community in Northwest Indiana and 
across the state. This year, the Boy Scouts of America Calumet Council 
honored Michael and Jill Schrage.
   Michael Schrage, president and chief executive officer of Centier 
Bank, is a truly innovative business leader. Mike became the fourth 
generation of his family to own and operate the First Bank of Whiting, 
which was renamed Centier Bank years later. This family-owned bank has 
grown throughout the years, and today Centier includes over fifty 
branches in Indiana. Under Mr. Schrage's leadership, an award winning 
lender division was established, a financial literacy program was 
introduced, and the company has been named one of Indiana's best places 
to work for the past eight years. This is unquestionably due to Mike's 
value-based work ethic, and the importance he places on Centier's most 
important resource: its employees. Additionally, Mike gives much of his 
time and efforts to charitable endeavors, including the Saint Jude 
House, the American Red Cross, the YMCA, and the Boy Scouts of America, 
to name a few.
   Jill Schrage is a true humanitarian in every sense of the word. She 
gives selflessly and passionately of her time and efforts to various 
organizations and civic activities throughout Northwest Indiana and 
beyond, including the American Heart Association, the American Cancer 
Society, TradeWinds, Speaking of Women's Health, the Girl Scouts of 
America, the Women's Association of the Northwest Indiana Symphony, 
Opportunity Enterprises, and the Valparaiso Art Advisory Committee, 
among others. For her truly exceptional devotion to such worthy causes, 
Jill serves as an inspiration to us all.
   Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my other distinguished colleagues 
join me in honoring the Boy Scouts of America Calumet Council and its 
2014 Distinguished Citizen Award recipients, Michael and Jill Schrage. 
For their lifetime of leadership and outstanding dedication to serving 
those in need, Mike and Jill are worthy of the highest praise.

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