[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 14]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 20018]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      REMEMBERING MRS. GRACE TYSON

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 13, 2011

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is with deep sadness but with great 
respect that I take this time to remember one of Northwest Indiana's 
finest citizens, Mrs. Grace Tyson, of East Chicago, Indiana. Mrs. 
Tyson's many contributions to the Northwest Indiana community as a 
civil servant and as a leader within her church are worthy of our 
deepest admiration. Grace passed away at the age of 103 on Friday, 
November 25, 2011, but the impact and influence she has had on her 
community will surely live on for generations to come.
  Grace Tyson was born in Unity, Illinois, to Mary and Dee McCondle. 
She attended elementary school in Unity, Illinois, graduated from high 
school in Sandusky, Illinois, and later attended college in Carbondale, 
Illinois. In 1940, she married Charles Tyson and they settled down in 
the city of East Chicago, Indiana. Grace graduated with distinction 
from Beauty and Cosmetology School in Gary, Indiana, in 1945. Her 
lifelong career as a licensed cosmetologist and beautician lasted 51 
years, until her retirement in 1996. Grace joined Saint Mark African 
Methodist Episcopal Zion Church in the early 1940s. She became a 
faithful member of the church and Missionary Society, holding the 
offices of President and Secretary.
  Throughout her life, Mrs. Tyson gave of her time to serve those in 
need. She was very passionate about helping others, and her life was 
centered around this type of work. She was one of the very first 
individuals to serve as a volunteer driver for Meals on Wheels, a 
position she held for over five years. She was a member of the Women's 
Improvement Club of East Chicago, for which she served as President, 
Secretary, and Treasurer. Grace also became the area representative and 
delegate for senior citizens at the Statehouse in Indianapolis. For her 
truly impressive determination to improve the lives of so many, she was 
awarded the Governor's Proclamation for her years of service. Grace was 
known as a quiet, effective leader who served as a positive role model 
for many young men and women throughout the community of Northwest 
Indiana.
  While Grace Tyson was always active in her community and her church, 
she cherished her time with her family the most. She leaves to cherish 
her memory her nieces, Mary Perry and Martha Brownlee; nephew, Tommy 
(Gwendolyn) Daniel; godson, Edward Williams; and special neighbor Anna 
Williams; as well as many grand nieces and nephews. She will also be 
greatly missed by her many friends, neighbors, club members, and 
caretakers.
  Mr. Speaker, I respectfully ask that you and my other distinguished 
colleagues join me in honoring Grace Tyson for her outstanding devotion 
to her community in Northwest Indiana. Her unselfish and lifelong 
dedication to those in need is worthy of the highest commendation. 
Grace's selflessness was an inspiration to us all, and I am proud to 
have represented her in Congress.

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