[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 57 (Tuesday, April 10, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E415]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         TRIBUTE TO THE INDIANA MILITARY VETERANS HALL OF FAME

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                            HON. TODD ROKITA

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 10, 2018

  Mr. ROKITA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a great Hoosier 
organization, The Indiana Military Veterans Hall of Fame. On April 5, 
the organization held the dedication and grand opening of its memorial 
facility, the only one of its kind in the nation.
  The Indiana Military Veterans Hall of Fame is a non-profit 
organization founded in 2013. Its mission is to publically emphasize 
the honor brought to our state and nation by the sacrifice of Indiana 
military veterans and their families. The memorial was built with 
funding provided by leaders of Indiana's credit unions across the state 
and their business partners with funds totaling over $330,000, and 
stands near the Indiana Department of the American Legion on land that 
was once Fort Benjamin Harrison.
  There are currently 161 Hoosiers who have been inducted into the 
Indiana Military Veterans Hall of Fame, including each of the 99 Medal 
of Honor recipients from Indiana, one U.S. President, three Indiana 
Governors, and one Indiana Supreme Court Justice. These brave men and 
women are not alone, they represent the tens of thousands of Hoosiers 
who have honorably served and made sacrifices for our country as 
members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard.
  In 2014, I was honored to celebrate the beginning of what I believe 
will be a lasting legacy for our servicemen and servicewomen when the 
inaugural class was inducted into the Indiana Military Veterans Hall of 
Fame. At the time, the establishment of a permanent location to 
recognize the heroism and sacrifices of Indiana's men and women in our 
armed forces was but a vision. Today, this is a reality thanks to the 
tireless advocacy and work by the organization's Board of Directors, 
volunteers, and supporters. I would also like to recognize the Board 
Chairman, Colonel Russ Dowden, US Army (Ret.), for inviting me to 
participate in the project back in 2013 and for his unyielding support 
of the organization and our veterans.
  I congratulate all of those who worked to make the Hall of Fame 
possible, and celebrate the American heroes who keep fight to preserve 
liberty and uphold our Constitution.

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