[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 105 (Tuesday, June 23, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E604-E605]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING NORTHWEST INDIANA FORUM ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS DIRECTOR KAY
NELSON
______
HON. FRANK J. MRVAN
of indiana
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, June 23, 2026
Mr. MRVAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor Kay
Nelson upon her retirement after a distinguished career dedicated to
environmental stewardship, economic development, public service, and
the advancement of Indiana's workforce and industrial economy.
Throughout her remarkable career, Kay Nelson has worked tirelessly to
improve our environment, strengthen our industrial base, and support
working families throughout Northwest Indiana and our Nation. Her
leadership, expertise, and commitment to public service have left an
enduring impact on countless communities and organizations. After
decades of service, she has announced her well-deserved retirement,
concluding a career that has spanned local, regional, state, national,
and international responsibilities.
Since joining the Northwest Indiana Forum in 1998 as Environmental
Affairs Director, Kay has played an instrumental role in advancing
initiatives that balance environmental policy with economic growth. As
a leader within Northwest Indiana's premier economic development
organization, she has contributed to virtually every major
environmental initiative in our region during the past quarter century.
Her work has supported business attraction, retention, and expansion
while helping communities understand the long-term environmental and
economic benefits of sustainable development.
Throughout her tenure, Kay has successfully brought together
businesses, government agencies, and community stakeholders to address
complex environmental challenges. She has helped shape regional policy
positions, built consensus on matters of local and national
significance, and served as a trusted voice representing both
environmental interests and the business community. Her ability to
bridge diverse perspectives has strengthened Northwest Indiana's
reputation as a place where environmental responsibility and economic
growth can work hand in hand.
Prior to joining the Forum, Kay established an impressive record of
public service through numerous leadership roles, including Industrial
Pretreatment Coordinator, U.S. EPA Wastewater Expansion Construction
Grant Administrator, Brownfield Redevelopment Administrator, and
Director of the Indiana Department of Environmental Management--
Northwest Regional Office. She also represented Indiana at the national
level as a member of the U.S. EPA's Iron and Steel Federal Advisory
Committee Act group.
Kay's influence has extended far beyond Northwest Indiana. A
nationally respected leader in Great Lakes policy, she served on the
negotiating team for the Great Lakes--St. Lawrence River Basin Water
Resources Compact and continues to serve as a Great Lakes Commissioner
after appointments by Governor Mike Pence and reappointments by
Governor Eric Holcomb. Her efforts ensured the adoption of the Compact,
a landmark agreement signed into Indiana law in 2008 that protects one
of our Nation's most valuable natural resources. She has also served on
the Volkswagen Trust Fund Settlement Board and numerous environmental
advisory committees focused on the future of the Great Lakes region.
Her extensive service includes leadership roles with the Great Lakes
Advisory Board, the U.S. EPA Region 5 Great Lakes National Program
Office, the Northwest Indiana Regional Planning Commission's
Environmental and Transportation Committees, the Indiana Manufacturers
Association, and the Indiana Chamber of Commerce, where she served as
president of its Environmental Committee. Her commitment to community
service has also benefited organizations including Hospice of the
Calumet Area, the Dunes Learning Center, and the Shirley Heinze Land
Trust.
A graduate of Purdue University, where she earned a Bachelor of
Science degree in Natural Resources and Environmental Science with a
focus on water quality, Kay has consistently demonstrated excellence
throughout her career. Her many honors include receiving Indiana's
highest civilian distinction, the Sagamore of the Wabash, on two
separate occasions from Governor Mitch Daniels and Governor Eric
Holcomb. She has also twice received the Distinguished Hoosier Award
and has been recognized as Volunteer of the Year by the Indiana Chamber
of Commerce and as an Influential Woman of Northwest Indiana in
Economic Development.
Her innovative leadership has been recognized repeatedly by the
Society of Innovators at Purdue University Northwest, including honors
for her contributions to the Great Lakes--
[[Page E605]]
St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact, the Grand Calumet
River restoration effort, and the Northwest Indiana Forum's ``Ignite
the Region'' initiative.
While Kay Nelson's accomplishments and accolades are extraordinary,
those who have had the privilege of working alongside her know that her
greatest legacy is the respect, mentorship, and friendship she has
provided to others. She has been a tireless advocate for Northwest
Indiana, a trusted advisor to public officials, a champion for
environmental responsibility, and a steadfast supporter of economic
opportunity for working families.
Mr. Speaker, on behalf of Indiana's 1st Congressional District and
the United States House of Representatives, I congratulate Kay Nelson
on her distinguished career and extend my deepest gratitude for her
decades of service. I wish her continued health, happiness, and
fulfillment in retirement, and I thank her for the lasting
contributions she has made to our region, our state, and our Nation.
____________________