[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 33 (Thursday, February 26, 2015)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1155-S1156]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           INDIANAPOLIS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 125TH ANNIVERSARY

 Mr. DONNELLY. Mr. President, today I wish to congratulate the 
hard-working members of the Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce as they 
celebrate 125 years of creating jobs, building Indiana's economy, and 
improving the lives of Hoosiers all across our State.
  Originally called the Indianapolis Commercial Club, the Indianapolis 
Chamber of Commerce was founded in 1890 by COL Eli Lilly to address 
needs brought on by urban expansion in Central Indiana. The rapid 
expansion of industry and transportation in the region at the time left 
what had been a rural population with insufficient infrastructure to 
meet the needs of the growing city. The steadfast response of these 
leaders to remedy this situation represents the determination and 
ingenuity that the Indy Chamber continues to exhibit today.
  The 1912 merger of this group with like-minded business 
organizations, including the Manufacturers, Trade and Merchants 
Associations, became what is today known as the Indy Chamber. While the 
economic landscape has changed significantly, the Indy Chamber of today 
stays true to its earliest vision of boosting area businesses and 
growing industry and investment throughout the Indianapolis area.

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  With a bold civic agenda, Colonel Lilly and the early founders of the 
Indy Chamber invested their efforts in building up its membership and 
increasing the quality of life for residents and businesses alike--
including advocating for better roadways so citizens and visitors could 
easily travel to their jobs and places of leisure; providing relief 
programs for citizens hit by economic depression; and serving as an 
adviser to elected and appointed officials on issues addressed at all 
levels of governing.
  In 2013, the Indy Chamber merged with three area economic development 
organizations--Indy Partnership, Develop Indy, and Business Ownership 
Initiative--putting an even greater emphasis on the organization's 
mission to strengthen the metro economy. Today, the Indy Chamber's 
commitment to urban and rural metro strength can be seen in the ever-
expanding resources they offer to large corporations and 
entrepreneurial startups alike.
  As a leading advocate for business in the Indy area today, the Indy 
Chamber's mission remains true to its roots while at the same time 
adapting to accommodate the ever-growing landscape of today's business 
world. Their core mission includes keeping a keen eye on education and 
workforce development, supporting strong, fiscally responsible 
governing, and investment in regional infrastructure including roads 
and waterways--all areas that have an immense impact on the region's 
ability to attract jobs, talent, and capital.
  On behalf of the citizens of Indiana, I sincerely congratulate each 
and every member of the Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce team on their 
125th anniversary, and I wish them continued success and growth in the 
years to come.

                          ____________________