[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 204 (Thursday, December 14, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1705-E1706]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF ANDRE LACY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SUSAN W. BROOKS

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 14, 2017

  Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life 
and legacy of Indianapolis businessman, Andre Lacy, an icon in the 
Indianapolis community. Andre was born and raised in Indianapolis and 
graduated from nearby Shortridge High School in 1957. Andre's 
grandfather H.J. Lacy founded their family business, U.S. Corrugated 
Fiber Box Company, in 1912. Andre spent most of his career working, 
leading and transforming U.S. Corrugated into the successful 
distribution company it is today. Andre's first experience in the 
family business was at age nine. After his father's unexpected death in 
1959, Andre, while still in college, came home to help his mother Edna 
with day-to-day operations. Andre graduated in 1961 with a Bachelor's 
Degree in Economics from Denison University in Ohio and

[[Page E1706]]

his professional career began as an analyst at U.S. Corrugated Fiber 
Box Company. In 1972 under Andre's direction, U.S. Corrugated was 
renamed Lacy Diversified Industries (LDI) to reflect its expanded 
interests. LDI has made several dozen acquisitions since 1972 and while 
it has since sold many of its holdings LDI still owns OIA Global, 
UltiMed Inc., and an office building on the Circle in downtown 
Indianapolis. Andre served as the Chief Executive Officer of LDI from 
1983 until his retirement in 2006 and was the Chairman of the Board 
from 1991 until his passing.
  Andre's remarkable career as a transformative figure both within his 
family business and in his community is truly unmatched. Andre served 
as a board member for several companies including Patterson Companies, 
Inc., Ethyl Corporation, Albemarle Corporation, Tredegar Corporation, 
First Colony Insurance Co., IPALCO, National Bank of Indianapolis, and 
Merchants National Bank. He has held leadership positions with numerous 
civic organizations including as a trustee at Rose-Hulman Institute of 
Technology, board member of the Community Leaders Allied for Superior 
Schools and The Nature Conservancy of Indiana. Andre is a former 
chairman of the 500 Festival, Indiana Chamber of Commerce, and the 
United Way of Central Indiana, where he and his late wife, Julia, were 
Meridian Society members. Meridian Society members are the movers and 
shakers of our community. They lead the charge in improving the lives 
of thousands of people in Central Indiana through their leadership, 
dedication and generous gifts of $25,000 or more annually. In 2016, 
Andre and Julia donated more than $25 million dollars to Butler 
University's Business School, which now bears his family's name. This 
is the largest gift from an individual or family in the history of 
Butler University. In addition to his monetary donation, Andre donated 
his time and expertise to both the faculty and students at Butler 
University. From 2009 until his passing, Andre served as chairman of 
the Indiana State Fair Commission and was the driving force in the $63 
million renovation of the Indiana State Fairgrounds Coliseum. Andre and 
Julia donated $2 million dollars to jumpstart this campaign.
  In October of 2017, he was inducted into the Indiana Academy for 
lifetime achievement and contributions throughout the state by The 
Independent Colleges of Indiana. He was recently recognized as the 2017 
Indiana Philanthropy Awards recipient by the Indiana Chapter of The 
Association of Fundraising Professionals.
  Typically, the Sagamore of the Wabash honor is given for wisdom, 
public commitment, and a concern for the well-being of others. Andre 
embodied this award to the fullest, as he has been recognized as a 
Sagamore of the Wabash by Governors Roger Branigan, Robert Orr and 
Mitch Daniels. The Sagamore of the Wabash is the highest honor an 
Indiana governor can bestow.
  In November of 2017 Andre was awarded the Whistler Award by The 
Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee. The annual Whistler Award 
recognizes individuals who, outside the regular duties of their chosen 
professions, have brought together the public and private sectors for 
civic improvement in Indianapolis. Andre's name will be added to a 
limestone and granite monument located in the Charles L. Whistler 
Memorial Plaza at the City Market in downtown Indianapolis.
  Andre's legacy as a brilliant business and community leader will live 
on through his countless contributions to the Hoosier State. Andre had 
a well-known passion for motorcycling and adventure seeking. He 
tragically passed away at the age of 78 following a motorcycle crash on 
a private tour of Botswana. He lived his life to the fullest and chased 
his dreams and passions with such great vigor. Andre was a great son of 
Indianapolis, a leader in Indiana, who deeply loved our country. He 
will be missed by me and so many. I want to extend my most heartfelt 
condolences to his three sons, J.A., Mark, and Peter, and their 
families in their time of mourning as they carry on the Lacy Family 
legacy.

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