[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 11]
[House]
[Pages 16142-16143]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING MAYOR STEPHEN L. LUEKE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Indiana (Mr. Donnelly) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, today I pay tribute to an 
outstanding citizen of South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Steve Lueke, who 
devoted his life to the service of our community. Raised in Freeport, 
Illinois, Mayor Lueke made South Bend his home over 30 years ago after 
graduating from Fordham University. He and his beloved wife, Peg, the 
marketing director for the South Bend Museum of Art, have four children 
they are so proud of.
  Steve has been South Bend's 31st and longest-serving mayor in the 
city's history. He took office in 1977, succeeding Joe Kernan, who 
became the lieutenant governor. Now in his fourth term, Mayor Lueke has 
championed the development of a city in which all residents can be 
proud to live and work.
  Previously Steve served 9 years as a member of the South Bend Common 
Council, including two terms as president, representing the First 
District on South Bend's northwest side.
  South Bend under his leadership has become a hub of technological 
diversity. Mayor Lueke spearheaded the demolition of nearly 4 million 
square feet of obsolete buildings in the former Studebaker Corridor and 
strengthened partnerships with leading community institutions, 
including the University of Notre Dame.
  These efforts have come together as South Bend created Indiana's 
first dual-site, State-certified technology park, consisting of 
Innovation Park at Notre Dame and Ignition Park on the grounds of the 
former Studebaker Corporation. In addition, South Bend became the first 
U.S. city to create a broadband network, the Metronet, using its own 
traffic conduit.
  As the owner of a small construction company, Steve took interest in 
neighborhood restoration, infrastructure improvements, and the 
revitalization of our city. Among other projects, he fostered the 
public-private restoration of the Morris Performing Arts Center, the 
Palais Royale ballroom, the Northeast Neighborhood revitalization, and 
the renovation of the former Engman Natatorium into the Indiana 
University South Bend Civil Rights Heritage Center. Under his 
leadership, South Bend received a White House designation in 2008 as a 
Preserve America Community. He also directed the completion of the 
riverwalk along the St. Joseph River and added 50 miles of bicycle 
lanes and routes throughout our city.
  He has served on the advisory board for Indiana University South Bend 
during a period of expansion and growth that positioned it as an active 
participant in the economic development of our region. Enrollment 
growth at Ivy

[[Page 16143]]

Tech Community College has exploded and has led to a partnership 
between the city's Redevelopment Commission and the college as the 
commission acquires and relocates businesses to help expand the campus 
of Ivy Tech even more.
  With concern for the future, Mayor Lueke's vision has helped provide 
the spark for several environmental efforts that led to South Bend's 
designation as Indiana's Green Community of the Year in 2009.
  Our city has developed into an innovative, dynamic and progressive 
place, and in 2011 it was named an All-America City. Mayor Steve's 
progressive vision, collaborative leadership, and passionate advocacy 
for good government earned him the 2011 Association of Cities and Towns 
Russell G. Lloyd Distinguished Service Award. He is also the 2011-2012 
IACT president.
  So today, on behalf of all the citizens of South Bend, Indiana, I 
want to thank Mayor Steve for his unselfish years of dedication to the 
city and to its people. You will never be forgotten.
  Thank you for everything. Thank you, Mayor, and God bless you, Peg 
and your family.

                          ____________________