[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 148 (Friday, August 20, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E910-E911]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING THE NORTHWEST INDIANA BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY HALL OF FAME CLASS 
                                OF 2021

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. FRANK J. MRVAN

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, August 20, 2021

  Mr. MRVAN. Madam Speaker, it is with great respect and admiration 
that I commend several remarkable leaders who have been honored as the 
Northwest Indiana Business and Industry Hall of Fame Class of 2021. 
This year's inductees include Maria and Oscar Martinez, Pat Popa, Peter 
Nau, and the Ziese Family. Centier Bank was also presented the 
Enterprise of the Year Award.
  Maria and Oscar Martinez are the proud owners of Tortillas Nuevo 
Leon, a family-owned company in Hammond, which sells tortilla products 
to grocers and restaurants. Maria and Oscar were both born and raised 
in Nuevo Leon, Mexico. After coming to East Chicago in 1957, Oscar 
spent 14 years making tortillas in the tortilla factory before starting 
Tortillas Nuevo Leon with Maria in 1975, making only tortillas. In 
1990, the family tradition continued when their two sons, Jesus and 
Jaime, and their daughter, Olga, joined the company and helped expand 
the product line and distribution networks. Oscar retired in 2005 and 
Maria followed in 2007, leaving their children to run the business. 
Jesus became president, Jaime is vice president, and Olga is the office 
manager. Tortillas Nuevo Leon products can be found in twenty-eight 
states and Canada.
  Pat Popa is the owner of Popa Heating and Cooling, an HVAC company 
located in Highland. Popa Heating and Cooling was originally founded in 
1968 by Pat's husband, Nick Popa. Their initial focus was installing 
heating and cooling systems in new home construction, but growth and 
success have enabled the company to expand their services to include 
existing residential heating and cooling in the Northwest Indiana area. 
Now, they replace old systems, offer new installations for existing 
homes, and provide system services, repairs, and equipment. Pat has 
been instrumental in organizing projects in downtown Highland to help 
increase traffic for the retail business district and improve the 
quality of life for its residents. In addition to her successful 
business, Pat gives much of her time and efforts to the Northwest 
Indiana community. In 2003, Pat created ``Downtown Ducks,'' a public 
art project that earned her the Governor's Award for Volunteerism from 
then-Governor Joseph Kernan. She has also been recognized by South 
Shore Arts with a Lifetime Distinguished Service Membership for 
developing a scholarship program for art students in Lake, Porter and 
LaPorte Counties through ``The County Seats'' public art project.
  Peter Nau is the president of Hammond Machine Works, a North American 
supplier of high-quality precision machining, metal fabrication, 
assembly and finishing of parts to the OEM market. Hammond Machine 
Works, which serves the rail car industry, has always been a family 
business. The business began in 1908 and was owned by Charles Nicholas 
Nau. Charles' son, Mike Nau, purchased the business in 1962 from Henry 
Kuehl and grew the company's capabilities and involvement in the 
community. Peter first started working with the company in 1979, and in 
1992 he purchased the business from his father and took over as 
President. Under Peter's leadership, Hammond Machine Works has 
continued to succeed and expand. In 2015, the company invested $4 
million in new equipment at its production facility in Dallas, Texas. 
Hammond Machine Works was honored with the Premier Supplier Award from 
one of the major car builders in Texas in addition to earning a 
collaboration award for working with a company to develop a product. 
For his contributions to charitable endeavors throughout Northwest 
Indiana, Peter was named Person of the Year by the Lakeshore Chamber of 
Commerce in 2016. Peter and his wife, Debbie, have three sons, Peter, 
Travis, and Michael, all of whom play a role in Hammond Machine Works.
  The Ziese Family owns and operates Ziese & Sons Excavating, Inc., a 
demolition and excavating company based in Crown Point. Ziese & Sons 
was established in the early 1970s by the late Kenneth D. and Jean 
Ziese. The small business started with just mom, dad, two sons, Kenneth 
and Zach, and a dump truck. The company continued to grow and expand 
and joined the operating engineers, becoming unionized in 1991. This 
made it easier to secure commercial jobs, insurance, and other 
benefits. Ziese & Sons Excavating currently has 47 employees, which 
includes family members from the third generation. Zach Ziese serves as 
the president, Ken Ziese as vice president, and Jean Ziese is the 
company's secretary. A couple of noteworthy projects completed by Ziese 
& Sons Excavating include the Strack & Van Til plaza in Crown Point and 
the new Franciscan hospital.
  The recipient of the Enterprise of the Year Award is Centier Bank, 
Indiana's largest private family-owned bank. Originally known as Bank 
of Whiting, Centier Bank was founded by Henry Schrage in 1895 after he 
opened a bank inside of his general store. Since 1895, the Schrage 
family has built a legacy of success that extends throughout the 
communities it serves. Under the leadership of current president and 
CEO, Michael Schrage, Centier Bank currently has 60 offices throughout

[[Page E911]]

northern and central Indiana and nearly $6 billion in assets. In 
addition, Mr. Schrage is dedicated and passionate about providing a 
``servant heart culture'' to clients, financial partners, and to the 
community. Whether it is through sponsorships and donations, 
volunteerism, or any other means of philanthropic outreach, Centier 
Bank's primary goal is to be an engaged and passionate member of the 
community while creating a sustainable impact.
  Madam Speaker, I ask you and my distinguished colleagues to join me 
in commending these dedicated leaders and organizations upon their 
induction into the Northwest Indiana Business and Industry Hall of 
Fame. They are truly deserving of this honor, and for their exceptional 
leadership and commitment to the region and beyond, each of them is 
worthy of the highest praise.

                          ____________________