[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 5696]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO MR. DONALD S. POWERS

                                  _____
                                 

                            HON. TODD ROKITA

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 28, 2015

  Mr. ROKITA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a notable Hoosier, Mr. 
Donald S. Powers, who passed away on April 21, 2015. I would like to 
express my gratitude for his community service and economic development 
in my hometown of Munster, Indiana. Most important to me, he was a 
friend and mentor who was always ready to provide sound guidance. He 
was among my very first supporters in my first run for Indiana 
Secretary of State, and he, Margo, and their family have been close 
friends for nearly my entire life. More than that though, many people 
who call Northwest Indiana home can rightfully claim the same kind of 
relationship with Don Powers.
  Mr. Powers proudly fought for our nation during World War II as a 
Navy fighter pilot and was called into service again during the Korean 
War. I know it was an honor for him, as a member of the United States 
Navy to protect the country he loved, the greatest nation the world has 
ever seen. His fearless exploits as a fighter pilot on an aircraft 
carrier would shape his business approach leading to a willingness to 
take risks that others would not.
  After his contributions to our nation, Mr. Powers moved to Munster 
from Kentucky, where he spent many years farming and managing farms for 
others. He was a graduate of Indiana's 4th District beloved Purdue 
University. He also helped develop Purdue University Calumet where he 
served on the university's board of trustees for 15 years, including 
several as president.
  Mr. Powers went on to establish a real estate firm and developed much 
of Munster's residential neighborhoods. He also developed the golf 
course community of Briar Ridge that many of the region's families call 
home. His annual Purdue golf outings at the course were major 
fundraisers that brought Boilermaker coaches and athletes into town.
  In 1973, Mr. Powers took part in the creation of Community Hospital 
in Munster, voted one of ``America's 50 Best Hospitals'' seven years in 
a row. In 1989, he developed the Center for the Visual and Performing 
Arts, home to the Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra and South Shore 
Arts. His efforts in developing Munster led to nationwide accolades for 
the community, even making Forbes Magazine's ``25 Top Suburbs for 
Retirement.''
  Mr. Powers was highly regarded in the community for his philanthropic 
and business endeavors. He served on the Board of Directors of the 
Munster Medical Research Foundation and most recently as the CE of 
Community Healthcare System. He personally funded nursing scholarships 
at Purdue University and Indiana University Northwest. Mr. Powers 
received many honors including the Northwest Indiana Quality of Life 
Council's Lifetime Achievement Award, the Lifetime Achievement Award 
and Entrepreneurial Excellence Award from the Northwest Indiana Small 
business Development Center. He was twice recognized as a Sagamore of 
the Wabash recipient, by Indiana Governors.
  Mr. Powers leaves behind his beloved wife Margo, daughter Frankie 
Fesko, three grandchildren, Heather, Donald and Timothy, and six great-
grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Trena. 
Indiana and the nation lost a committed leader, but his legacy can be 
found in the hundreds of lives he positively affected over the years.

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