[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 12063]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


              RETIREMENT CEREMONY FOR MRS. RUTHANNE SLAMKA

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 24, 2012

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure and admiration 
that I stand before you today to recognize Mrs. Ruthanne Slamka for her 
many years of service to the National Park Service (NPS), and more 
specifically, to the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. Ruthanne's 40 
years of service to the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore have certainly 
contributed to the park's success. For her many years of public service 
and her exceptional dedication to the community of Northwest Indiana, 
she will be honored at a retirement ceremony on Friday, July 27, 2012.
  Indisputably, Ruthanne's tireless devotion to ensuring the success of 
the park lent itself to the overall growth of the Indiana Dunes 
National Lakeshore. As you may be aware, the Indiana Dunes National 
Lakeshore came into being on November 5, 1966. Ruthanne Slamka began 
her work with the National Park Service on July 23, 1972 and the 
Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore held a ceremony establishing the park 
on September 8, 1972.

  Much work was needed to acquire land within the park's boundary, and 
Ruthanne served as the primary contact for hundreds of individuals and 
families whose property was acquired. Her knowledge of the properties 
and the complex acquisition process earned her the respect of the 
owners, other government entities, and the public at large. Further, 
the meticulous transcripts Ruthanne produced provide an exceptional 
insight into the park's early years, and serve as an invaluable tool 
for those interested in the rich history of this extraordinary 
landmark.
  Thanks in part to the effort and professionalism Ruthanne 
demonstrated during her tenure with the Indiana Dunes National 
Lakeshore, residents of, and visitors to, Northwest Indiana are able to 
enjoy the Lake Michigan shoreline as well as the miles of recreational 
trails and the diverse ecosystem contained within the park's wetlands, 
prairies, and forests. My constituents and I are indebted to Ruthanne 
Slamka for her contributions to the only National Park within the First 
Congressional District.
  Although she has committed herself to serving her community through 
her work with the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, Ruthanne's 
dedication to her family and loved ones is equally impressive. Ruthanne 
and her husband, Joseph, have been married for more than 40 years.
  Mr. Speaker, I respectfully ask that you and my other distinguished 
colleagues join me in honoring Ruthanne Slamka, and in wishing her well 
upon her retirement. Her lifetime of service to the Indiana Dunes 
National Lakeshore and her unselfish commitment to serving her 
community is truly admirable, and for this, she is worthy of the 
highest praise.

                          ____________________