[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 133 (Wednesday, September 16, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1288]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      COMMENDING THE RECIPIENTS OF THE 2015 NIPSCO LUMINARY AWARDS

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                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 16, 2015

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is with great respect and admiration 
that I rise to commend the recipients of this year's NIPSCO Luminary 
Awards. The Luminary Awards were created to honor individuals or 
organizations throughout the community that have displayed exemplary 
leadership in the areas of community leadership, economic development, 
education, environmental stewardship, and public safety. This year's 
honorees include Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson, the Northeast Indiana 
Regional Partnership, Starke County Initiative for Lifelong Learning, 
Porter County Career and Technical Center, and the Tri-Town Safety 
Village. For their extraordinary contributions to their communities and 
throughout the region, the honorees will be recognized at a ceremony on 
Thursday, September 17, 2015, at NiSource Corporate Headquarters in 
Merrillville, Indiana.
  Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson was honored with the Community Leadership 
Award for her strong leadership skills, creativity, and dedication to 
improving and strengthening the City of Gary. On December 31, 2011, she 
became the first woman to lead Gary and the first African-American 
female mayor in the state of Indiana. Mayor Freeman-Wilson's passion 
for her home, the City of Gary, is unwavering. She is dedicated and 
continues to take on the city's challenges with integrity and 
enthusiasm. Mayor Freeman-Wilson has been a true community leader and 
asset to the people of Gary, as well as Northwest Indiana and beyond. 
She is worthy of this prestigious honor.
  Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership (NIRP) is the recipient of the 
Economic Development Award. The organization was formed in 2006 with 
the goal of helping to establish and develop a worldwide competitive 
economy in Northeast Indiana. The organization is a proven success and 
is one of the top performing regional economic development 
organizations in the nation. The NIRP is a truly inventive organization 
and is crucial in today's ever-changing economy.
   Starke County Initiative for Lifelong Learning (SCILL) was honored 
with the Education Award. Created in 1996, the organization provides 
educational opportunities for industrial employees and continues to 
invest its efforts in developing a well-trained workforce within the 
regional community. For its exceptional dedication to empowering 
individuals through education and developing a strong workforce to 
promote economic growth within the community, SCILL is truly inspiring.
   The Porter County Career and Technical Center (PCCTC) is the 
recipient of the Environmental Stewardship Award. The program started 
in 1971 and was formed with the purpose of providing a wide range of 
vocational and technical education programs to high school students. 
Throughout the years, the PCCTC has provided young people with the 
tools they need to succeed in their future endeavors. In addition, the 
organization has been a leader in the expansion of environmental 
education opportunities in the region and continues to develop the 
students' knowledge of environmentally sustainable energy sources. For 
educating our youth on the latest environmental challenges, 
innovations, and developments, the PCCTC is worthy of this special 
honor.
   The Public Safety Award recipient is the Tri-Town Safety Village. 
This not-for-profit organization is directed by an eighteen member 
advisory board with representatives from the towns of Dyer, 
Schererville, and Saint John. The ``Safety Village and Alive House'' 
hands-on display teaches children about safety in and around their 
communities. For their dedication to providing and preparing our youth 
with safety education, they are to be highly commended.
   Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my other distinguished colleagues to join 
me in commending these outstanding leaders and organizations. Their 
contributions to their communities, Northwest Indiana, and worldwide 
are immeasurable, and the honorees are worthy of the highest praise.

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