[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 80 (Thursday, May 11, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E425-E426]
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 2023

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. FRANK J. MRVAN

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 11, 2023

  Mr. MRVAN. Mr. Speaker, it is with great respect and admiration that 
I rise to commend several exceptional leaders from Indiana who will be 
honored as the Northwest Indiana Business and Industry Hall of Fame 
Class of 2023. This year's inductees include Jeff Good, Richard Pellar, 
Jeanne Robbins, and Rick Urschel. Karen Lauerman will also be honored 
posthumously for her truly significant impact on our community. In 
addition, Chester, Inc. will

[[Page E426]]

be presented with the Enterprise of the Year Award. For their 
outstanding contributions to the community of Northwest Indiana and 
beyond, these honorees will be recognized at an induction ceremony 
taking place on Monday, May 15, 2023, at Avalon Manor in Merrillville, 
Indiana. The Honorable Eric Holcomb, Governor of the State of Indiana, 
will serve as the keynote speaker for this special event.
  Jeff Good is the founder and owner of Good Hospitality Services. Jeff 
founded the company in the 1990s, building basic budget motels in 
numerous Indiana towns. Under Mr. Good's steadfast direction, the 
company continued to expand throughout the years, eventually refining 
its building procedures. Today, Good Hospitality Services builds mostly 
Hilton and Marriott hotels throughout Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and 
Florida. In the future, the successful company plans to develop in the 
Carolinas, Georgia, Tennessee, and Texas and will continue to remain 
active in Northwest Indiana and throughout the Midwest.
  Richard Pellar is the Chief Executive Officer of Crown Corr, a 
building-enclosure contractor based in Gary, Indiana. Crown Corr has 
assisted in the building of numerous structures throughout the country, 
including sports stadiums, airports, hospitals, and skyscrapers. Some 
notable projects include SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, Hard Rock Stadium 
in Miami, O'Hare International Airport, Los Angeles International 
Airport, and the Museum of Pop Culture in Seattle, to name a few. Crown 
Corr is currently working on a new hospital at Ohio State University 
and an Indiana University hospital in Indianapolis. Under Mr. Pellar's 
outstanding leadership, Crown Corr thrived due to the relationships it 
has with the labor unions and its strong emphasis on investing in its 
employees.
  Jeanne Robbins is the President of Munster Steel Co., Inc., a 
fabricator of structured and miscellaneous steel that is known for its 
bascule bridges. Based out of Hammond, Indiana, Munster Steel works on 
steel framing for schools, hospitals, highrises, train station 
platforms, and industrial facilities. Some remarkable projects include 
the skyboxes at Wrigley Field and the former Comiskey Park in Chicago, 
the Wells Street drawbridge, the Washington Wabash CTA station, the 
McCormick Place pedestrian bridge, and the Ravinia Pavilion, to name a 
few. An incredibly successful leader, Ms. Robbins strives to provide 
quality products while maintaining a safe and productive work 
environment for its valued team.
  Rick Urschel is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Urschel 
Laboratories, a global leader in industrial food-cutting technology, 
located in Chesterton with a research and development team located in 
Valparaiso, Indiana. Under Rick's direction, Urschel Laboratories 
continues to flourish in its industry due to its innovative ideas and 
willingness to try new things. In addition, Mr. Urschel gives much of 
his time and efforts to charitable endeavors, serving on numerous 
boards and capital campaigns throughout the community of Valparaiso and 
beyond.
  Karen Lauerman, Lake County Indiana Economic Alliance President, is 
being honored posthumously by the Northwest Indiana Business and 
Industry Hall of Fame. Throughout her successful career, Karen brought 
countless employment opportunities, numerous economic development 
projects, and multi-million-dollar investments to the region. For her 
tireless support and commitment to the community of Northwest Indiana 
and beyond, Karen Lauerman served as an inspiration to us all and is 
worthy of the highest praise.
  The recipient of the Enterprise of the Year Award is Chester, Inc., a 
diversified agricultural services company based in Valparaiso, Indiana. 
Chester, Inc. started out as a popcorn business that changed the way 
popcorn was sold. Throughout the years, the company diversified and 
shifted its focus and attention. Today, Chester, Inc. provides farmers 
with irrigation systems and grain bins and is expanding into commercial 
construction projects throughout the region. Chester, Inc. recently 
celebrated its 75th Anniversary last year, and its great success is 
attributed to the business relationships it has been able to develop 
and maintain over many years.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my other distinguished colleagues 
join me in commending these dedicated leaders and organizations upon 
their induction into the Northwest Indiana Business and Industry Hall 
of Fame. For their influence, innovation, and dedication to the 
community of Northwest Indiana and beyond, the inductees are worthy of 
the highest praise.

                          ____________________