Floor SpeechCeremonial2026-06-23

HONORING NORTHWEST INDIANA FORUM ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS DIRECTOR KAY NELSON

EconomyTaxesEnvironmentForeign PolicyInfrastructure

Context

On 2026-06-23, Representative Frank J. Mrvan (D-IN-1) delivered a floor speech titled "HONORING NORTHWEST INDIANA FORUM ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS DIRECTOR KAY NELSON" in the House.

Full Text

HONORING NORTHWEST INDIANA FORUM ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS DIRECTOR KAY NELSON

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 105 (Tuesday, June 23, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 105 (Tuesday, June 23, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages E604-E605] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING NORTHWEST INDIANA FORUM ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS DIRECTOR KAY NELSON ______ HON. FRANK J. MRVAN of indiana in the house of representatives Tuesday, June 23, 2026 Mr. MRVAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor Kay Nelson upon her retirement after a distinguished career dedicated to environmental stewardship, economic development, public service, and the advancement of Indiana's workforce and industrial economy. Throughout her remarkable career, Kay Nelson has worked tirelessly to improve our environment, strengthen our industrial base, and support working families throughout Northwest Indiana and our Nation. Her leadership, expertise, and commitment to public service have left an enduring impact on countless communities and organizations. After decades of service, she has announced her well-deserved retirement, concluding a career that has spanned local, regional, state, national, and international responsibilities. Since joining the Northwest Indiana Forum in 1998 as Environmental Affairs Director, Kay has played an instrumental role in advancing initiatives that balance environmental policy with economic growth. As a leader within Northwest Indiana's premier economic development organization, she has contributed to virtually every major environmental initiative in our region during the past quarter century. Her work has supported business attraction, retention, and expansion while helping communities understand the long-term environmental and economic benefits of sustainable development. Throughout her tenure, Kay has successfully brought together businesses, government agencies, and community stakeholders to address complex environmental challenges. She has helped shape regional policy positions, built consensus on matters of local and national significance, and served as a trusted voice representing both environmental interests and the business community. Her ability to bridge diverse perspectives has strengthened Northwest Indiana's reputation as a place where environmental responsibility and economic growth can work hand in hand. Prior to joining the Forum, Kay established an impressive record of public service through numerous leadership roles, including Industrial Pretreatment Coordinator, U.S. EPA Wastewater Expansion Construction Grant Administrator, Brownfield Redevelopment Administrator, and Director of the Indiana Department of Environmental Management-- Northwest Regional Office. She also represented Indiana at the national level as a member of the U.S. EPA's Iron and Steel Federal Advisory Committee Act group. Kay's influence has extended far beyond Northwest Indiana. A nationally respected leader in Great Lakes policy, she served on the negotiating team for the Great Lakes--St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact and continues to serve as a Great Lakes Commissioner after appointments by Governor Mike Pence and reappointments by Governor Eric Holcomb. Her efforts ensured the adoption of the Compact, a landmark agreement signed into Indiana law in 2008 that protects one of our Nation's most valuable natural resources. She has also served on the Volkswagen Trust Fund Settlement Board and numerous environmental advisory committees focused on the future of the Great Lakes region. Her extensive service includes leadership roles with the Great Lakes Advisory Board, the U.S. EPA Region 5 Great Lakes National Program Office, the Northwest Indiana Regional Planning Commission's Environmental and Transportation Committees, the Indiana Manufacturers Association, and the Indiana Chamber of Commerce, where she served as president of its Environmental Committee. Her commitment to community service has also benefited organizations including Hospice of the Calumet Area, the Dunes Learning Center, and the Shirley Heinze Land Trust. A graduate of Purdue University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Natural Resources and Environmental Science with a focus on water quality, Kay has consistently demonstrated excellence throughout her career. Her many honors include receiving Indiana's highest civilian distinction, the Sagamore of the Wabash, on two separate occasions from Governor Mitch Daniels and Governor Eric Holcomb. She has also twice received the Distinguished Hoosier Award and has been recognized as Volunteer of the Year by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce and as an Influential Woman of Northwest Indiana in Economic Development. Her innovative leadership has been recognized repeatedly by the Society of Innovators at Purdue University Northwest, including honors for her contributions to the Great Lakes-- [[Page E605]] St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact, the Grand Calumet River restoration effort, and the Northwest Indiana Forum's ``Ignite the Region'' initiative. While Kay Nelson's accomplishments and accolades are extraordinary, those who have had the privilege of working alongside her know that her greatest legacy is the respect, mentorship, and friendship she has provided to others. She has been a tireless advocate for Northwest Indiana, a trusted advisor to public officials, a champion for environmental responsibility, and a steadfast supporter of economic opportunity for working families. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of Indiana's 1st Congressional District and the United States House of Representatives, I congratulate Kay Nelson on her distinguished career and extend my deepest gratitude for her decades of service. I wish her continued health, happiness, and fulfillment in retirement, and I thank her for the lasting contributions she has made to our region, our state, and our Nation. ____________________

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HONORING NORTHWEST INDIANA FORUM ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS DIRECTOR KAY NELSON Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 105 (Tuesday, June 23, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 105 (Tuesday, June 23, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages E604-E605] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING NORTHWEST INDIANA FORUM ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS DIRECTOR KAY NELSON ______ HON. FRANK J. MRVAN of indiana in the house of representatives Tuesday, June 23, 2026 Mr. MRVAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor Kay Nelson upon her retirement after a distinguished career dedicated to environmental stewardship, economic development, public service, and the advancement of Indiana's workforce and industrial economy. Throughout her remarkable career, Kay Nelson has worked tirelessly to improve our environment, strengthen our industrial base, and support working families throughout Northwest Indiana and our Nation. Her leadership, expertise, and commitment to public service have left an enduring impact on countless communities and organizations. After decades of service, she has announced her well-deserved retirement, concluding a career that has spanned local, regional, state, national, and international responsibilities. Since joining the Northwest Indiana Forum in 1998 as Environmental Affairs Director, Kay has played an instrumental role in advancing initiatives that balance environmental policy with economic growth. As a leader within Northwest Indiana's premier economic development organization, she has contributed to virtually every major environmental initiative in our region during the past quarter century. Her work has supported business attraction, retention, and expansion while helping communities understand the long-term environmental and economic benefits of sustainable development. Throughout her tenure, Kay has successfully brought together businesses, government agencies, and community stakeholders to address complex environmental challenges. She has helped shape regional policy positions, built consensus on matters of local and national significance, and served as a trusted voice representing both environmental interests and the business community. Her ability to bridge diverse perspectives has strengthened Northwest Indiana's reputation as a place where environmental responsibility and economic growth can work hand in hand. Prior to joining the Forum, Kay established an impressive record of public service through numerous leadership roles, including Industrial Pretreatment Coordinator, U.S. EPA Wastewater Expansion Construction Grant Administrator, Brownfield Redevelopment Administrator, and Director of the Indiana Department of Environmental Management-- Northwest Regional Office. She also represented Indiana at the national level as a member of the U.S. EPA's Iron and Steel Federal Advisory Committee Act group. Kay's influence has extended far beyond Northwest Indiana. A nationally respected leader in Great Lakes policy, she served on the negotiating team for the Great Lakes--St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact and continues to serve as a Great Lakes Commissioner after appointments by Governor Mike Pence and reappointments by Governor Eric Holcomb. Her efforts ensured the adoption of the Compact, a landmark agreement signed into Indiana law in 2008 that protects one of our Nation's most valuable natural resources. She has also served on the Volkswagen Trust Fund Settlement Board and numerous environmental advisory committees focused on the future of the Great Lakes region. Her extensive service includes leadership roles with the Great Lakes Advisory Board, the U.S. EPA Region 5 Great Lakes National Program Office, the Northwest Indiana Regional Planning Commission's Environmental and Transportation Committees, the Indiana Manufacturers Association, and the Indiana Chamber of Commerce, where she served as president of its Environmental Committee. Her commitment to community service has also benefited organizations including Hospice of the Calumet Area, the Dunes Learning Center, and the Shirley Heinze Land Trust. A graduate of Purdue University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Natural Resources and Environmental Science with a focus on water quality, Kay has consistently demonstrated excellence throughout her career. Her many honors include receiving Indiana's highest civilian distinction, the Sagamore of the Wabash, on two separate occasions from Governor Mitch Daniels and Governor Eric Holcomb. She has also twice received the Distinguished Hoosier Award and has been recognized as Volunteer of the Year by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce and as an Influential Woman of Northwest Indiana in Economic Development. Her innovative leadership has been recognized repeatedly by the Society of Innovators at Purdue University Northwest, including honors for her contributions to the Great Lakes-- [[Page E605]] St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact, the Grand Calumet River restoration effort, and the Northwest Indiana Forum's ``Ignite the Region'' initiative. While Kay Nelson's accomplishments and accolades are extraordinary, those who have had the privilege of working alongside her know that her greatest legacy is the respect, mentorship, and friendship she has provided to others. She has been a tireless advocate for Northwest Indiana, a trusted advisor to public officials, a champion for environmental responsibility, and a steadfast supporter of economic opportunity for working families. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of Indiana's 1st Congressional District and the United States House of Representatives, I congratulate Kay Nelson on her distinguished career and extend my deepest gratitude for her decades of service. I wish her continued health, happiness, and fulfillment in retirement, and I thank her for the lasting contributions she has made to our region, our state, and our Nation. ____________________