[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 16]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 22866-22867]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                           MR. JOHN DIEDERICH

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 25, 2008

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Madam Speaker, it is with great respect and sincerity 
that I take this time to honor one of Northwest Indiana's most 
distinguished business and community leaders, Mr. John Diederich of 
Crown Point, Indiana. On Thursday, September 25, 2008, John will be 
honored by the Northwest Indiana Forum for his many years of service as 
a dedicated executive and his many contributions to the Northwest 
Indiana community. This extraordinary event will be taking place at 
Gamba's Ristorante in Merrillville, Indiana.
  John Diederich has been a fixture in the banking industry in 
Northwest Indiana for the past thirty-four years. Following his 
collegiate studies, where he earned a degree in Accounting from Calumet 
College of Saint Joseph in Whiting, Indiana, and a degree in Finance 
from Saint Joseph's College in Rensselaer, Indiana, John entered the 
banking industry as a controller at Commercial Bank in Crown Point, 
Indiana. From there, he went on to serve as a commercial lender for 
Gainer Bank before being named its Division Manager for Commercial 
Lending in 1989. Mr. Diederich remained in this position until 1996, 
when he was named Manager of Private Banking and Investments for First 
Chicago NBD. Following a brief stint as Manager of Commercial Lending 
with Bank One, he was named Regional President of Bank One in 2000, and 
remained in that role with JPMorgan for the last eight years.
  Throughout the years, John Diederich has become known just as much 
for his contributions to his community as to the banking industry. One 
of the most giving and selfless individuals I have ever had the 
pleasure of knowing, John has dedicated much of his time focusing on 
the development of the economy in Northwest Indiana, most notably as a 
past chairman of the Managing Board of Directors for the Northwest 
Indiana Forum and as a founding member and past president of the 
Regional Development Company. John has also volunteered much of his 
free time working with organizations that help children in his 
community. He serves or has served in various capacities on the boards 
for numerous organizations, including: the Boys and Girls Club of 
Northwest Indiana, where he is a past chairman of the board, the 
Southlake YMCA, for which he is a past president, the Juvenile Diabetes 
Research Foundation, Trade Winds, the Crown Point Community Foundation, 
the Diocese of Gary, and the Crisis Center in Gary, Indiana, where he 
currently serves as its chairman of the board.
  While John has always been committed to his work and has remained 
active in the Northwest Indiana community, his greatest enjoyment is 
the time spent with his beautiful family. He and his wife, Louise, have 
one daughter, Lisa, a graduate of Butler University, and one son, 
Brian, who currently attends the University of Dayton.
  Madam Speaker, at this time, I ask that you and my other 
distinguished colleagues join me in commending Mr. John Diederich as he 
is honored for his lifetime of service and dedication to the Northwest 
Indiana community. His years of service have touched and improved the 
lives of all whom he has served. His unselfish and lifelong dedication 
is worthy of the highest commendation, and I am proud to represent him 
in Congress.

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