With a brisk north wind battering the Lake Michigan shoreline, the Porter
County Chapter of the Izaak Walton League gathered with friends and chapter
founders Herb and Charlotte Read Sunday at the Portage Lakefront Park and
Riverfront to celebrate their history and share memories.
Congressman Pete Visclosky was there to congratulate the chapter and
presented a certificate for a Continuing Resolution, which was read into the
Congressional Record October 26, honoring the Chapter for its contributions
to conservation and the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore.
“This chapter helped create that park,” Visclosky said.
“It is one of the greatest assets we have in northwest Indiana.”
Guest speaker Paul Labovitz, Superintendent of the National Lakeshore,
talked about how important it is for government agencies to work with the
public.
“National Parks are typically created by small groups of passionate
individuals,” he said.
Labovitz also said the Lakeshore adds about $250 million to the region’s
economy annually. “And that is part of your legacy too,” he said to the
Reads, “be proud of that.”
“We are really proud of our group”, said Chapter President Gary Brown.
“We have excellent volunteers, lots of expertise, and centuries of
experience. We are ready for the next 60 years.”
The Izaak Walton League of America was founded in Chicago in 1922 by 54
sportsmen upset about what was happening to the streams and rivers they
loved. Since then, the organization has become a national leader in
conservation. The Ike’s slogan is “Defenders of soil, air, woods, waters,
and wildlife.”