[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 6]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 8233]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO VERNE WELCH

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. DAVID YOUNG

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 8, 2016

  Mr. YOUNG of Iowa. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and 
congratulate Verne Welch of Council Bluffs, Iowa for his many years of 
dedicated service to the City of Council Bluffs and Pottawattamie 
County. Verne Welch is a Council Bluffs native who never forgot where 
he came from.
  Verne Welch graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1955. He 
served in the U.S. Navy from 1955 to 1968. Upon discharge, he joined a 
California recruitment firm for oversees contractors. In 1972 he joined 
Harrah's, Inc. and remained with the company until 1987. He felt a need 
to help his hometown during some tough economic times so in 1988, Verne 
Welch returned to Council Bluffs, establishing gaming in Iowa, working 
tirelessly to develop the industry in Council Bluffs.
  Former Council Bluffs Mayor Tom Hanafan described Verne as ``the guy 
who came home and changed the face of his hometown community.'' Tom 
Schmitt, the publisher of the Daily Nonpareil, said, ``Verne Welch's 
actions to revitalize his hometown have brought a lot of changes to 
this community. If there was ever a person who could say, `This is what 
I have done,' it would be Verne Welch--and he never says that.'' 
Because of Verne's active community service, he has created a legacy 
second to none. Verne Welch's endless dedication, commitment, 
generosity, and leadership for Council Bluffs has enhanced and improved 
the quality of life for his community and its citizens.
  I commend and congratulate Verne Welch for making a difference in his 
hometown and influencing the economic future of Council Bluffs and the 
State of Iowa. I salute his many accomplishments and dedication for 
serving his community. I am proud to represent him in the United States 
Congress. I know that my colleagues in the U.S. House of 
Representatives join me in congratulating Verne Welch and wishing him 
the very best in the future.

                          ____________________