[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 205 (Wednesday, December 18, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1605]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                       HONORING JUDGE MARY HARPER

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 18, 2019

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Madam Speaker, it is with great respect and admiration 
that I take this time to honor Judge Mary Harper and to wish her well 
upon her retirement. For her lifetime of service and her dedication to 
the residents of Porter County, Indiana, Judge Harper is to be highly 
commended. After more than thirty-five years of service, Judge Harper 
will be retiring this month from her position as Porter County Circuit 
Court Judge. To commemorate this special occasion and to pay tribute to 
her exemplary career, a celebratory event took place on Tuesday, 
December 17, 2019, at the Porter County Expo Center in Valparaiso, 
Indiana.
   Judge Mary Harper grew up in South Bend, Indiana, before pursuing 
her collegiate studies at Colorado State University and later earning 
her Juris Doctorate from Valparaiso University. In 1984, she was 
elected judge of Porter County Court No. 2, before the state 
legislature converted her court to Superior Court No. 3 in 1986. In 
1996, Judge Harper was elected to the Porter Circuit Court. In this 
position, Judge Harper presides over the Porter County Juvenile Court. 
She has been instrumental in implementing successful youth justice 
initiatives, including Juvenile Drug Court, Family Court, and the 
Juvenile Truancy Diversion Program, as well as a mental health 
initiative for juveniles. Each of these innovative and life-changing 
programs has proven to be of tremendous benefit to the youth and 
families of the community. I would be remiss if I did not point out 
that Judge Harper holds the distinction of being the first female 
Porter County deputy prosecutor and judge, and currently, she is the 
longest-serving female state court judge in Indiana.
   In addition to her outstanding career, Judge Harper has served on 
many committees and organizational boards including the Board of 
Trustees of the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute, Board of Directors 
for the Indiana Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, State of 
Indiana Child Protection Task Force, and she served as Chair of the 
Indiana Juvenile Justice Improvement Committee, among many others. For 
her numerous contributions to the community of Northwest Indiana and 
beyond, Judge Harper has received numerous awards and accolades 
throughout her career, and she is truly worthy of the highest praise.
   Mary Harper's dedication to the community of Northwest Indiana and 
her career is exceeded only by her devotion to her beloved husband, 
David, and her amazing son, James. I'm sure she will be enjoying 
quality time with her family in the years to come.
   Madam Speaker, I ask that you and my other distinguished colleagues 
join me in honoring Judge Mary Harper for her outstanding service to 
the people of Porter County and to wish her well upon her retirement. 
Mary's impact on the region and her work with the youth of our 
communities is truly admirable. For her many contributions, Judge 
Harper is worthy of our gratitude, and we have been honored to have her 
presence in the judiciary for so long.

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