[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 191 (Friday, November 17, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1111-E1112]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          CELEBRATING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF ERNESTINE RACLIN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. RUDY YAKYM III

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, November 17, 2023

  Mr. YAKYM. Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate the life and honor the 
legacy of Ernestine Raclin, who passed away at the age of 95 earlier 
this year.
  Born and raised in South Bend, Indiana, as the youngest daughter of 
Ernest and Ella Morris, Ernestine devoted much of her life to making 
her home community an even better place to live, work, and raise a 
family.
  Many times that meant being a trailblazer and taking on roles and 
responsibilities like few women before her did.
  That meant chairing 1st Source Bank and 1st Source Corporation for 
more than 20 years, being the first woman Board Member of the 
University of Notre Dame, and being the first woman to chair a major 
campaign for the University. Ernestine was also the first woman in our 
country to chair a United Way campaign and to serve on the Board of 
United Way of America.
  In addition to her business acumen, Ernie was also deeply passionate 
about the arts. Ernestine believed strongly in the transformative power 
of the arts and the many ways that art can elevate and improve the 
human spirit. That passion translated into action, and throughout her 
life Ernie gave back to the wider South Bend community by generously 
volunteering her time, talents, and treasure to countless projects 
rooted in the arts.
  Above all, Ernie was a leader who loved her family and possessed a 
unique ability to inspire and rally people around serving causes 
greater than themselves.

[[Page E1112]]

  In her life Ernestine ``Ernie'' Raclin wore many hats: she was a 
wife, a mother, a grandmother, a great grandmother, a mentor, a 
colleague, a philanthropist, and a dear friend.
  The sheer number of remembrances that have come in since her passing 
goes to show just how many lives Ernestine Raclin touched and shaped 
for the better.
  I know that Ernestine's family and many friends dearly miss her and 
her kindly presence. But I also know that we ``do not grieve like those 
who have no hope,'' and take comfort in knowing that God-willing, one 
day we will be reunited with her for all eternity.
  I am proud to have known Ernestine and to help celebrate a life very 
well-lived. I join so many others in thanking God for sending us this 
compassionate soul who became a friend to so many and such a pivotal 
leader in the wider South Bend community.
  God bless Ernestine Raclin.

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