[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 6]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 8070]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




         RECOGNIZING THE GARY CRUSADER ON ITS 55TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 7, 2016

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure and admiration 
that I recognize The Gary Crusader, as the company celebrates its 55th 
anniversary, 55 Years Highlighting our Past and Crusading for our 
Future. In honor of this special occasion, an anniversary gala will be 
held in the Hangar at B. Coleman Aviation, located at the Gary/Chicago 
International Airport, on June 3, 2016. The keynote speaker for the 
event is critically acclaimed author and renowned scholar, Michael Eric 
Dyson.
  The Gary Crusader is a weekly publication serving the City of Gary 
and the community of Northwest Indiana. Since its founding in 1961, by 
the late Balm L. Leavell Jr. and Joseph H. Jefferson, at the invitation 
of Kelly and Samuel Polk, the Crusader successfully upheld its mission, 
using its news pages to reflect on justice and equality for all people. 
In 1968, Mrs. Dorothy Leavell took over as editor and publisher of The 
Gary Crusader, after the passing of her husband, Balm Leavell. 
Throughout the years, Dorothy has been a strong, accomplished, and 
innovative business leader. The Gary Crusader is an active member of 
the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), a federation of 
the more than 200 African American-owned community newspapers 
throughout the United States. In 1995, Dorothy became the second female 
in history to become president of the NNPA for a two-year term and 
served at its president from 1995 to 1999. She also served as 
chairperson of the NNPA Foundation from 2006 to 2011. In August 2016, 
Mrs. Leavell will be inducted into the Hall of Fame of the National 
Association of Black Journalists. For her dedication to the City of 
Gary and the community of Northwest Indiana, Dorothy is worthy of the 
highest praise.
  I would like to take the time to mention some of the inspiring 
leaders in Northwest Indiana who have worked with The Gary Crusader to 
bring about positive change and to inspire the community. They include 
former mayor of Gary Richard Hatcher, the late Lake County Commissioner 
Roosevelt Allen, The Gary Crusader's first female editor, the late 
Dolly Millender, State Senator Earline Rogers, and Mayor Karen Freeman-
Wilson, who is the honorary chairperson of the 55th anniversary gala. I 
would also be remiss if I do not mention the respect my father John 
Visclosky had for Balm Levell and the importance he attached to their 
wonderful friendship.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my other distinguished colleagues 
join me in honoring and congratulating The Gary Crusader on its 55th 
anniversary. For the past 55 years, the staff and leadership have 
touched the lives of countless individuals through their unwavering 
commitment to the community of Gary and throughout Northwest Indiana.

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