Visclosky Statement Submitted in the Congressional Record on Indiana’s Bicentennial

Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Pete Visclosky released the following statement submitted in the Congressional Record on Indiana’s Bicentennial:

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the State of Indiana’s Bicentennial Anniversary.  200 years ago, on December 11, 1816, our great state was admitted to be a part of the United States of America, and I am so proud to call Indiana and its Northwest region my home.

I believe that Northwest Indiana is the best place in the world to live, work, visit, study, and raise a family, and it is an honor and privilege to represent this area on the 200th Birthday of our state.  I also want to thank my Indiana colleagues for establishing the time today to discuss this historic event.  It is always a privilege to be able to work with you, along with Senator Coats and Senator Donnelly, on behalf of the issues that impact our great state.

Our state and our region have a rich history in agriculture production, and in addition to the value of Indiana land, I believe that people have been drawn to Northwest Indiana because of the pristine beauty of our lakeshore and the Lake Michigan water.  We are so fortunate to be situated along the largest body of fresh water on the planet.  For 200 years, our shoreline has been an invaluable natural asset that has attracted people and has driven economic opportunities, and I have no doubt that it will continue to do so for the next 200 years and beyond.   

We also are fortunate that over a hundred years ago, businesses saw the value in the Northwest region of Indiana and decided to make investments to create unprecedented steel mills and oil refineries.  It is because of these investments in Northwest Indiana that our steelworkers and steel mills are able to currently make the best and most efficient steel in the world.  No other area of our country makes more steel than Northwest Indiana.  Steel is the foundation of our economy, our national defense, and is essential for our transportation infrastructure.  It has been an economic engine for our state this past century and we must continue to work to see that our industrial base and Indiana manufacturing continue to power us forward in future centuries. 

Finally, I am proud of all the hardworking people in Northwest Indiana and our state and the contributions that they have provided to our nation over the past 200 years.  They have built transportation infrastructure in our state that connects rail, road, and waterway systems that traverse our nation.  Our airports and ports along Lake Michigan serve as gateways to connect people and economic activity within our state to the rest of the world.  Our Indiana National Guard servicemembers have also selflessly protected us every day of our past 200 years, including during the Civil War and the over 17,000 servicemembers who have been deployed overseas since September 11, 2001. 

Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my other distinguished colleagues to join me now in celebrating the vibrant history of Indiana’s steel and manufacturing industries, our unparalleled natural resources, and our industrious and courageous people, by wishing Indiana a very happy 200th Birthday. 

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