[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 1]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 1186]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



 DISTINGUISHED INDIVIDUALS FROM INDIANA'S FIRST CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 19, 1999

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, as we celebrate the birth of Dr. Martin 
Luther King, Jr., and reflect on his life and work, we are reminded of 
the challenges that democracy poses to us and the delicacy of liberty. 
Dr. King's life and, unfortunately, his vicious murder, remind us that 
we must continually work and, if necessary, fight to secure and protect 
our freedoms. Dr. King, in his courage to act, his willingness to meet 
challenges, and his ability to achieve, embodied all that is good and 
true in that battle for liberty.
  The spirit of Dr. King lives on in many of the citizens in 
communities throughout our nation. It lives on in the people whose 
actions reflect the spirit of dedication and achievement that will help 
move our country into the future. In particular, several distinguished 
individuals from Indiana's First Congressional District will be 
recognized during the 20th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial 
Breakfast on Monday, January 18, 1999, at the Gary Genesis Center in 
Gary, Indiana. In the past year, these individuals have, in their own 
ways, acted with courage, met challenges, and used their abilities to 
reach goals and enhance their communities.
  Former Gary City Councilman Roosevelt Haywood will be honored with 
the 1999 ``Marcher's Award'' for his contributions to the struggle for 
equality of civil rights. As a leader of the Fair Share Organization, 
he worked diligently in his fight for the civil rights of all 
minorities. In addition, Mr. Clifford Minton will receive the 
prestigious 1999 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. ``Drum Major Award'' for 
his outstanding contributions to fighting segregation. Clifford was one 
of the founders of the Frontiers International Civic Club and is the 
former Director of the Urban League of Northwest Indiana. Both 
Roosevelt Haywood and Clifford Minton should be applauded for their 
civil rights efforts in Northwest Indiana.
  I would also like to recognize several Gary Tolleston Junior High 
School students: Tynese Anderson; Kenneth Bonner; Breone Dupre; LaKisha 
Girder; LeYona Greer; Katina Haaland-Ramer; Floyd Hobson; Leah Johnson; 
Ayashia Muhammad; Brooklyn Rogers; Brannon Smith; Mason Smith; Whitney 
Sullivan; Sheena Tinner; Phyllis Walker; and Courtney Williams. These 
students are members of the Tolleston Junior High School Spell Bowl 
Team, which won its fifth consecutive State Spell Bowl Championship. 
The team's success is also a credit to the outstanding ability and 
leadership of its teachers. In particular, Margaret Hymes and Janice 
Williams should be commended for the devotion they have demonstrated as 
coaches for the Tolleston Junior High Spell Bowl Team. Additionally, 
Tolleston Principal Lucille Upshaw and Dr. Mary Guinn, Gary 
Superintendent of Schools, should be recognized for their support. The 
accomplishments of these outstanding individuals are a reflection of 
their hard work and dedication to scholarship. Their scholastic effort 
and rigorous approach to learning have made them the best in the state. 
They have also brought pride to themselves, their families, their 
schools and their communities.
  Additionally, I would like to take this opportunity to commend Miss 
Andrea Ledbetter of Gary, Indiana. She has been selected for the People 
to People Student Ambassador Program as part of the delegation going to 
New Zealand. The roots of the Student Ambassador Program reach back to 
1956, when U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower founded People to 
People. He believed that individuals reaching out in friendship to 
citizens of other countries could contribute significantly to world 
peace. This is an excellent opportunity for Andrea to experience 
unparalleled opportunities for personal growth through an enriching 
program of educational and cultural interaction in another country.
  Though very different in nature, the achievements of all these 
individuals reflect many of the same attributes that Dr. King 
possessed, as well as the values he advocated. Like Dr. King, these 
individuals saw challenges and rose to the occasion. They set goals and 
worked to achieve them. Mr. Speaker, I urge you and my other colleagues 
to join me in commending their initiative, determination and 
dedication.

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