[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 13]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 17899-17900]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING MR. W.F. ``BILL'' WELLMAN

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 12, 2006

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is my distinct pleasure to honor my 
good friend Mr. W.F. ``Bill'' Wellman for his illustrious career and 
innumerable contributions to his native Northwest Indiana community. 
With a life of such diverse experiences and a career that has taken 
countless turns, it is hard to sum up the life of Bill Wellman without 
the word ``entertainer.'' I am proud to call Bill a friend, and I am 
pleased to have the opportunity to congratulate him on his new 
autobiography, ``It's Made to Sell--Not to Drink!'' I am truly 
impressed by this self-published work that covers a fascinating life of 
eight decades.
  Bill was born in LaPorte, Indiana, and his career has taken him 
around the world. He grew up learning the service industry from his 
father, Guy Wellman, Sr., who opened a bar in Valparaiso, Indiana after 
earning a worthy reputation during Prohibition. Bill tended bar and 
learned many life lessons from his father and their patrons. In fact, 
his book's title, ``It's Made to Sell--Not to Drink!'' is in reference 
to the libations served at ``The Club.'' As a young man, Bill joined 
the United States Marine Corps, where he served during World War II. 
Both his Hoosier boyhood and military exploits are featured prominently 
in his autobiography as important formative influences on his life.
  Fortunately, Bill's strong Hoosier roots brought him back, where his 
career has flourished in the hospitality industry. After World War II, 
Bill set his sights on the Valparaiso area, where he helped establish 
The Corral bar in 1948 and Wellman's Restaurant in 1958, to which he 
later added a bowling alley. Subsequently, his stewardship over the 
Holiday Inn in Valparaiso led to an expansion that included a 
restaurant and outdoor theater, which came to be known as the Bridge 
VU. Here, Bill hosted such stars as Dolly Parton, The Oak Ridge Boys, 
Victor Borge, Duke Ellington, and many others. It was this venture that 
inspired his signature project, the 3,400 seat Star Plaza Theater, 
which remains today as a prominent entertainment complex and tourist 
attraction in Merrillville, Indiana.
  While Bill's numerous business ventures have provided quality 
entertainment, award-winning food, and many jobs for those in Northwest 
Indiana, he has gone further than most to make the region a more 
attractive destination. Bill is one of the original founders and a Past 
President of the Northwest Indiana Tourism Council, and is a Past 
President of the Lake County Convention and Visitors Bureau. In 1986, 
he was named the Indiana Ambassador of Tourism, and for many years he 
served as President of the Indiana Travel and Tourism Association. It 
is through Bill's service to these and other organizations that 
Northwest Indiana truly benefits from his wealth of knowledge.
  At age 82, Bill maintains a busy schedule, giving back to his 
community through various local organizations and holding a demanding 
post as Senior Vice President of Communications for Whiteco Industries, 
where he has worked since 1976. In fact, his early years at Whiteco 
were devoted to design and development of the Star Plaza Theater, which 
his firm now owns and manages. A testament to his work ethic and 
passion, Bill has shrugged off retirement and relishes each day at 
work. However, Bill's most enjoyable time is spent with his wife, three 
children, and five grandchildren.
  Mr. Speaker, Bill Wellman's eye for entertainment has added a spark 
to the lives of thousands of Hoosiers and visitors from around the 
United States. His commitment to improving the quality of life for the 
people of the First Congressional District of Indiana should be 
recognized and celebrated. At this

[[Page 17900]]

time, I ask that you and all of my distinguished colleagues join me in 
commending my friend, Bill Wellman, for his lifetime of enthusiatstic 
service to Northwest Indiana.

                          ____________________