[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 186 (Wednesday, November 20, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1478-E1479]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING THE GARY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE'S 12TH ANNUAL LAKESHORE 
                                CLASSIC

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 20, 2019

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Madam Speaker, it is with great admiration that I 
recognize the Gary Chamber of Commerce as the organization celebrates 
the 12th annual Lakeshore Classic basketball invitational. In 
observance of this special event, the Gary Chamber of Commerce will 
host a celebratory corporate luncheon at the Majestic Star Casino Event 
Center in Gary, Indiana, on Tuesday, November 26, 2019, followed by the 
basketball invitational at West Side Leadership Academy on Friday, 
November 29, 2019, and Saturday, November 30, 2019.
   The Lakeshore Classic aims to support the education and guidance of 
the youth of our communities to positive paths, actions, and endeavors. 
The Gary Chamber of Commerce has invited Mr. Kenny Lofton, an East 
Chicago native and retired Major League Baseball (MLB) player, to be 
the keynote speaker for the event. Born and raised in East Chicago, Mr. 
Lofton graduated from Washington High School and was an all-state 
basketball player. Following high school, Kenny accepted a basketball 
scholarship to the University of Arizona, where his unprecedented 
skills led his teammates and coaches to believe that he was able to 
play any professional sport. During Mr. Lofton's junior year, he joined 
the University of Arizona baseball team. Kenny's speed and potential 
were widely recognized by baseball scouts, and he was soon drafted in 
the 17th round of the 1988 MLB draft. During his outstanding major 
league career, he played on several different teams and was a six-time 
All-Star and four-time Gold Glove Award winner. Mr. Lofton was also 
inducted into the Cleveland Indians Hall of Fame and the Negro League 
Baseball Museum Hall of Game. In addition, he is one of only two men 
that played in a college basketball Final Four and an MLB World Series. 
In 2007, Mr. Lofton retired from his seventeen-year MLB career, and for 
his hard work and determination, he is to be commended.
   Upon retirement, Mr. Lofton created his own film company, FilmPool, 
Inc., a full-service production company with a mission to bring 
diversity to the screen. He is also a board member for the Still Got 
Game Foundation, a not-for-profit organization for former professional 
athletes and philanthropic individuals that provides charitable 
resources in promotion of social change in our local communities and 
throughout the world. Recently, Mr. Lofton presented the Cleveland 
schools with $15,000 from the foundation and his celebrity poker 
tournament. Kenny Lofton's contributions to the youth of our 
communities and his support for positive social reform will have an 
unforgettable impact for generations to come.
   At this time, I would like to recognize the schools participating in 
the Lakeshore Classic basketball tournament. These schools are 
dedicated to positively impacting Northwest Indiana through academic 
excellence and sportsmanship, and they are successful in their efforts. 
The participating schools include West Side Leadership Academy of Gary, 
John Marshall Metropolitan High School of Chicago, Thea Bowman 
Leadership Academy of Gary, East Chicago Central High School, George 
Washington High School of Indianapolis, 21st Century Charter High 
School of Gary, and Charles Tindley Accelerated High School of 
Indianapolis.
   Madam Speaker, at this time, I ask that you and my other 
distinguished colleagues join me in recognizing the Gary Chamber of 
Commerce, the organizers and sponsors of the 12th annual Lakeshore 
Classic, and the devoted volunteers who make this event possible. Their 
influence, passion, and dedication to our youth in Northwest Indiana 
are truly commendable.

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