[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 170 (Monday, October 28, 2019)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages E1348-E1349] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] HONORING PERSHING EDWIN (P.E.) MacALLISTER ______ HON. SUSAN W. BROOKS of indiana in the house of representatives Monday, October 28, 2019 Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor of the life of a beloved and iconic member of the Hoosier state, Pershing Edwin (P.E.) MacAllister. A pillar of the Indianapolis community, P.E. passed away at the age of 101 on October 23, 2019. P.E. was an industrious, enthusiastic and generous individual whose life's work touched and benefitted so many Hoosiers. A longtime leader in Indiana politics, P.E. was a guiding force in not only my career but also the political careers of legendary Republican Hoosier lawmakers, the late Senator Richard Lugar and the late Indianapolis Mayor William Hudnut, among others. In 1945, P.E. co-founded the MacAllister Machinery Company with his father. His 74 years at the helm of the company are a telling reminder of his unequaled business acumen and leadership capabilities. Throughout his life he helped lead and develop both the public and private sector successes of Indianapolis and the state of Indiana. The people of Indiana's Fifth Congressional District are forever grateful for P .E.'s contributions to our Hoosier community, and it is my privilege to honor him today. P.E. was born August 30, 1918, in Oconto, Wisconsin to Edwin W. (E.W.) and Hilda MacAllister. As a recent veteran of World War I, Edwin named his son Pershing after General John Joseph ``Black Jack'' Pershing. Growing up during the Great Depression, P.E. was taught the frugality and self-sufficient nature required to survive and flourish in the America of the time. With a strong Scottish Presbyterian upbringing and close familial bond, P.E. advanced in his academic career, graduating high school and then enrolling at Carroll College. After graduation from Carroll College in 1940, P.E. joined the United States Army Air Force. On October 25, 1941, he was shipped off to basic training, and his service to his country began. As an armament officer, P.E. was stationed initially in the United States, but also served in England, North Africa, and finally in Italy where he earned the rank of Captain. After 5 years in the Army Air Force, P.E. finished his service having earned four Overseas Service Bars and a Presidential Unit Citation. Upon returning from service overseas, P.E. and his father E.W. co- founded the MacAllister Machinery Company in June of 1945. After his father's medical complications in 1951, P.E. [[Page E1349]] and his brother Dave took the helm of the company. Over the next 74 years, P.E. led the company as it grew to cover two states with over 2,500 employees. Starting in 1986, he began to co-publish and write the lead articles for 170 issues of the company's newsletter, ``Mac Today''. Outside of the office, P.E. maintained strong ties with his faith as a devoted member of Northminster Presbyterian Church. As a leader in the church's governing body, P.E. served two terms as its moderator. In 1972, he was the moderator of the Synod of Indiana, and in 1975 he was named the moderator of the Synod of Lincoln Trials. P.E. also served on the board of trustees at the Christian Theological Seminary, where along with friend Dick Petticrew, he created ``The MacAllister-Petticrew Chair'' of the Old Testament Studies. At his alma mater of Carroll College, P.E. endowed a ``Chair in Old Testament Studies''. Later in his career, P.E. began his entrance into the Indiana political arena. Along with close friends Harold Ransburg, John Burkhart and Keith Bulen, P.E. helped to bring about a political revolution within Indiana. He helped to foster the early careers of many Republican candidates such as former Mayor William Hudnut, former Governor Mitch Daniels, former Senator Richard Lugar, and former Governor and Vice-President Michael Pence. P.E. was also an integral part of the creation of the Indianapolis Parks Foundation and served as the chairman of the Foundation for many years, helping to transform many of the city's various parks and public lands. His time as a member and then chairman of the Capital Improvements Board helped to see the city commit to the building of the RCA Dome and Convention Center which were important steps to eventually enticing the Colts of the National Football League to relocate to Indianapolis. These partnerships helped change Indianapolis from a sleepy stop on the highways of middle America to a premiere emerging city in the heartland of America. P.E. leaves behind a larger than life legacy that is fitting for the impact he had on the city of Indianapolis and the state of Indiana. During his life, he was one of the most impactful local leaders in the city's public and private sectors, leaving a legacy unmatched by his peers. He dedicated his life to the service of his clients, employees, and fellow Hoosiers, fundamentally changing the lives of those he served for the better. His unparalleled love for Indiana and the city of Indianapolis led to massive changes that impacted not only the lives of Hoosiers, but also the skyline of Indianapolis. P.E. will be remembered for his amazing compassion, charismatic and warm personality, as well civic involvement. Awarded the Sagamore of the Wabash, Indiana's highest public honor, by three separate Governors is a testament the influence P.E. had on our state. I feel fortunate to have known him, and I know that his legacy lives on through the great contributions he made to Indianapolis, to Indiana, and to the country. On behalf of Indiana's Fifth District, I offer my condolences to the entire MacAllister family and all who mourn his loss and cherish his memory. ____________________