[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 168 (Monday, November 16, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1626]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        HONORING THE 2015 DISTINGUISHED CITIZEN AWARD RECIPIENTS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, November 16, 2015

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is with great respect that I take this 
time to recognize the 2015 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 Tuesday, November 10, 2015, at Gamba Ristorante in 
Merrillville, 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 their community in 
Northwest Indiana and across the state. This year, the Boy Scouts of 
America Calumet Council honored Mamon and Cynthia Powers.
  Mamon and Cynthia Powers were born and raised in Gary, Indiana. Mamon 
graduated from Froebel High School as an honors student, and Cynthia 
was valedictorian of her class at Gary's Tolleston High School. 
Following High School, Mamon graduated from Purdue University with a 
bachelor's degree in civil engineering. Cynthia earned her bachelor's 
and master's degrees in English and college administration at Indiana 
State University. Soon after graduating from college, Mamon and Cynthia 
began working with Mamon's father at Powers & Sons Construction 
Company, while both maintained other full-time jobs. In 1970, they 
formed Powers Realty, Incorporated. Eventually, they purchased a 
Century 21 franchise which Cynthia began managing and proved to be 
immensely successful in every aspect of the business. Already making 
their mark in the business world, the couple wed in 1972. Over the 
years, Mamon has served as secretary and treasurer of Powers & Sons 
Construction Company. In 1987, he was named president and was later 
named the company's chairman and chief executive officer. Under his 
leadership, Powers & Sons changed its focus from residential to 
commercial and industrial construction and has become one of the 
largest African American owned construction companies in the world.
  Aside from their work, Mamon and Cynthia give an extraordinary amount 
of their time and efforts to charitable endeavors. With over forty-five 
years of service to the community and to their alma maters, Purdue and 
Indiana State University, they are to be commended. Mamon serves as the 
chairman of the Methodist Hospitals Board of Directors. He is a member 
of the Fifth Third Bank--Chicago Regional Board of Directors, and he is 
also a member of the World Presidents' Organization and Chief 
Executives' Organization. In addition, Mamon is a former member and 
vice chairman of the Board of Trustees of Purdue University.
  Cynthia is a member of Indiana State University's Alumni Association 
Board, a member of the Indiana University Northwest Board of Advisors, 
treasurer of The Friends of Emerson School for the Visual and 
Performing Arts, a member of the Northern Indiana Chapter of the Links, 
Inc., and a Golden Life Member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, to name a 
few. Cynthia is also the former chairperson and member of the YWCA of 
Northwest Indiana. In addition, and most significant to both Cynthia 
and Mamon, is their service to the NAACP of Gary and the First AME 
Church, where Mamon serves as trustee and Cynthia is a long-time choir 
member and past youth choir director. Mamon and Cynthia have been 
honored and awarded many times for their outstanding work throughout 
Northwest Indiana and beyond. They serve as an inspiration to us all 
and have helped lead Northwest Indiana toward a new and bright future. 
To be their friend is a blessing.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my other distinguished colleagues 
join me in honoring the Boy Scouts of America Calumet Council and its 
2015 Distinguished Citizen Award recipients, Mamon and Cynthia Powers. 
For their lifetime of leadership and tireless dedication to their 
community and to those in need, Mamon and Cynthia are worthy of the 
highest praise.

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