Elkhart County (Indiana) Commissioners have dedicated the road behind the Amazon warehouse in Elkhart to the late Indiana District 2 U.S. Representative Jackie Walorski. The newly-built road had previously been named C.R. 4 and resides between C.R. 17 and C.R. 19, and was designed for the Amazon building and the growing industrial park in the area. The commissioners have named it “Walorski Parkway.”
“We thought it was a proper thing to do,” said Commissioner Brad Rogers. “We rename buildings and roadways for people who have done significant things for our community and Jackie Walorski is that true consummate servant (and) we wanted to honor her memory.”
Walorski died in a head-on two-vehicle collision Aug. 3, 2022, near Nappanee, along with two members of her staff – Zachery Potts, 27, Mishawaka, and Emma Thomson, 28, Washington, D.C. The sole occupant of the other vehicle, Edith Schmucker, 56, Nappanee, also died.
Following her death and at her funeral, dozens shared memories surrounding Walorski’s passion for community, local business and industry, and caring disposition.
“Her support of local economy on the national level – like when she supported the tax cut and jobs act as well as when she opposed Trump’s tariff’s on goods like steel and aluminum – helped our local businesses stay open,” said Commissioner Suzie Weirick.
The decision to name the road in honor of Walorski was made by the commissioners in December 2022 when they were given the opportunity to name the newly built road.
“Thinking of Jackie and all she did to set the stage for economic growth in Elkhart County and the collaborative spirit she brought to working with us as commissioners, helps all of our local leaders provide support to citizens and businesses,” Weirick added.
Click here to read the rest of the report from Dan Messick in the Goshen News.