[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 25]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 33769]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO MR. LEE STRAWHUN

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 11, 2007

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Madam Speaker, it is with great admiration and 
pleasure that I stand before you today to recognize the many years of 
dedicated service of Mr. Lee Strawhun. Having known Lee for many years, 
I can truly say that he is one of the most committed, knowledgeable, 
and honorable citizens in Northwest Indiana. Nowhere has his knowledge 
and commitment been more evident than in his faithful service to the 
mental health profession, and more specifically, to the Southlake 
Center for Mental Health. Lee has served as President and Chief 
Executive Officer of Southlake Center since its founding in April of 
1976. For many years, Lee has been a constant fixture at the Southlake 
Center for Mental Health, and for his efforts, he was honored at a 
farewell reception on Thursday, December 6, 2007, at the Avalon Manor 
in Merrillville, Indiana.
  Lee Strawhun has spent his entire life, both professionally and 
personally, working at ways to improve not only mental health services, 
but society as a whole. From his service to his country as a member of 
the United States Army Reserves to his consulting work with various 
organizations to his service to the youth of his community as faculty 
member at Indiana University-Northwest and guest lecturer at Purdue 
University-Calumet, Valparaiso University-School of Law, and DePaul 
University-School of Law, Lee has always sought opportunities to 
improve the quality of life for all people.
  Looking back, it is not surprising that Lee was chosen as the first 
staff member at the Southlake Center for Mental Health back in 1976. 
Following a very successful six years as the Deputy Director of the 
Northwest Indiana Comprehensive Health Planning Council, Lee was 
brought on during a time when mental health services were not readily 
accepted. Since serving Southlake Center's first clients in 1977, Lee 
Strawhun has led the way and has been the catalyst for the improvement 
of mental health services in Northwest Indiana and beyond. During Lee's 
tenure, the Southlake Center for Mental Health has seen astonishing 
growth. To name a few of these outstanding advances, Southlake Center 
has expanded to include: drug and alcohol treatment programs, GED and 
general medical services programs, supervised group living homes, a 
psychology doctoral internship program, an acute partial 
hospitalization program, a countywide divorce education program, 
residential treatment centers for adolescents and children, independent 
group living facilities, and a forensic diversion program.
  Without a doubt, Lee Strawhun has been an innovative and respected 
leader throughout the years. To attest to this fact, Lee has been the 
recipient of numerous awards for his leadership and dedication. To name 
a few of his many accolades, Lee was honored with the ``Distinguished 
Hoosier Award'' in 1982 by Governor Robert Orr, the ``Adam Benjamin 
Advocacy Award'' in 1989 by the Indiana Mental Health Association's 
Lake County Chapter, the ``Outstanding Achiever Award'' in 1990 by the 
American Cancer Society, and the ``Outstanding Board Member of the Year 
Award'' in 2001 by the Indiana Association of Community Corrections 
Counties. Then, in 2004, Lee was awarded the prestigious ``Sagamore of 
the Wabash'' by Governor Frank O'Bannon.
  Though it may be difficult to imagine where he has found the time, 
Lee has always been an active member of various professional 
organizations, including: the National Council of Community Mental 
Heath Centers, American Society for Public Administration, Reserve 
Officers Association, American Correctional Association, and the Mental 
Health Corporations of America. He has also been a member of various 
organizations within Northwest Indiana, including: the Mental Health 
Association, Indiana Council of Community Mental Health Centers, 
Calumet Region Montessori, Merrillville Rotary Club, Alumni Association 
of the Indiana University--School of Public and Environmental Affairs, 
Indiana University-Northwest--Center for Medical Education, Lake County 
Community Corrections Advisory Board, Workforce Investment Board, 
Merrillville Chamber of Commerce, Merrillville Sanitary District, and 
the Merrillville ``Vision 21'' Committee.
  Madam Speaker, Lee Strawhun has devoted his life to improving mental 
health services and to serving the people of Northwest Indiana. At this 
time, I ask that you and all of my distinguished colleagues join me in 
commending him for his lifetime of service, perseverance, and 
dedication. I also ask that you join me in wishing him the best of 
health and happiness in the years to come.