[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 153 (Monday, September 25, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1256-E1257]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 RECOGNIZING THE NIPSCO LUMINARY AWARDS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 25, 2017

  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 prominent individuals 
or organizations for their exemplary leadership. This year's honorees 
include Earline Rogers, Jim Arnold, Bill Hanna, ACRES Land Trust, Dunes 
Learning Center, and the Northwest Indiana Information Security Sharing 
Alliance (NIISSA). For their outstanding contributions to the community 
in Northwest Indiana and beyond, the honorees were recognized at a 
ceremony on Thursday, September 21, 2017, at NiSource Corporate 
Headquarters in Merrillville, Indiana.
   The Honorable Earline Rogers, former Indiana State Senator, is this 
year's recipient of the Community Leadership Award. Earline served 
within the Indiana General Assembly for more than three decades. In 
addition, she is also a retired school teacher. Earline has dedicated a 
lifetime of service to the community of Northwest Indiana and has 
touched the lives of countless students through her teaching career. 
For her noteworthy dedication to public service, Senator Rogers is 
worthy of the highest praise.
   The Honorable Jim Arnold, former Indiana State Senator, is the 
recipient of the Community Leadership Award. Jim is also a member of 
the LaPorte Community School Board. For over fifty years, Jim has 
devoted his time and efforts to public service. His lifelong commitment 
is truly admirable, and he is worthy of the honor bestowed upon him.
   The recipient of this year's Environmental Stewardship Award is 
ACRES Land Trust, Indiana's largest and oldest local land trust. Today, 
ACRES includes land throughout thirty-two counties across northeastern 
Indiana,

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northern Ohio, and southern Michigan. Its outstanding staff members and 
numerous volunteers work tirelessly to protect and manage this land, 
and we are truly grateful for the organization's conservation efforts.
   The recipient of the Education Award is Dunes Learning Center, which 
is committed to its mission ``to inspire lasting curiosity and 
stewardship with nature.'' The center offers standards-based, year-
round environmental education programs to all ages. This is a truly 
unique and important educational platform for the youth of our 
community, and we are thankful for the opportunities that are provided 
by Dunes Learning Center.
   Bill Hanna, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Northwest 
Indiana Regional Development Authority (RDA), is this year's recipient 
of the Economic Development Award. The RDA works to unite community 
leaders with the purpose of bringing about positive transformation to 
Northwest Indiana through collaborative development projects. Bill has 
been instrumental in the effort to gain critical support for the South 
Shore Line's West Lake Extension and Double Track projects. These 
projects, once constructed, have the potential to fundamentally 
transform the economy of Northwest Indiana as well as significantly 
contribute to economic growth throughout the state.
   Northwest Indiana Information and Security Sharing Alliance (NIISSA) 
is the recipient of the Public Safety Award. NIISSA brings together 
disaster resources in order to help the people of Northwest Indiana in 
times of emergency. All aspects of crisis management are brought 
together in one area, making the response faster and more efficient. 
For its innovative and important public safety support for our 
communities, NIISSA is to be highly commended.
   Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my other colleagues to join me in 
commending these remarkable leaders, innovators, and organizations. For 
their outstanding contributions to the community of Northwest Indiana, 
and their unwavering commitment to improving the quality of life for 
its residents, each recipient is worthy of the honors bestowed upon 
them.

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