[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 17]
[EXTEN]
[Page 21903]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




TRIBUTE TO THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE INDIANA DUNES NATIONAL LAKESHORE

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                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, November 13, 2006

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is with great respect and admiration 
that I wish to congratulate the members of the Save the Dunes Council 
as they celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the Indiana Dunes National 
Lakeshore. To commemorate this special occasion, the Save the Dunes 
Council hosted a 40th Anniversary Gala Event on Saturday, October 21, 
2006, at Valparaiso University's Brauer Museum of Art in Valparaiso, 
Indiana.
  From its humble beginning, the Save the Dunes Council, created in the 
Ogden Dunes living room of Dorothy Buell and a mere dozen of her female 
neighbors, has become one of the most knowledgeable, involved, and 
respected organizations in Northwest Indiana and beyond. Founded in 
1952 with the mission of protecting and preserving the Indiana Dunes, 
the Save the Dunes Council worked tirelessly toward their goal of 
creating a National Lakeshore, which they accomplished in 1966. Since 
that time, the Save the Dunes Council, comprised of local citizens, has 
continued to fight to protect the lakeshore from man-made intrusions 
and preserve the environment. Through the efforts of these dedicated 
individuals, the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore has nearly doubled in 
size. Currently, the National Lakeshore consists of more than 15,000 
picturesque acres of land, while plans for continued expansion are in 
place.
  The Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore has, for many years, been a 
popular tourist destination as well as a place where local families and 
groups can enjoy an afternoon together. Its scenic lake views and 
magnificent sandy beaches have made the Indiana Dunes National 
Lakeshore a focal point of Northwest Indiana, while the spectacular 
Mount Baldy, the largest of the lakeshore's moving dunes at 126 feet, 
is a sight that visitors are sure to remember. In addition to the 
magnificent nature views, the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore offers a 
wide array of activities to satisfy the interests of all nature-lovers, 
including: hiking, swimming, bird watching, fishing, camping, and 
horseback riding, as well as many guided tours and other gatherings.
  On Saturday, October 21, 2006, the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore 
40th Anniversary Gala took place and featured a social hour and exhibit 
tours of the artwork of Frank V. Dudley, an artist who dedicated forty 
years of his life to the preservation and promotion of the Indiana 
Dunes. The evening proceeded with a silent auction, formal dinner, 
speakers, and music.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my other distinguished colleagues 
join me in honoring the efforts of the members of the Save the Dunes 
Council, past and present, and in celebrating the 40th Anniversary of 
the establishment of the Indiana Dunes as a National Lakeshore. These 
selfless individuals continue to dedicate their time and unrelenting 
efforts to serve their community through the preservation of the 
Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, and I am proud to represent them in 
Congress.

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