(La Porte, IN) - A La Porte man has been honored for his many years of work in trying to improve the quality of life in northwest Indiana.

 

Leigh Morris was given the Norman E. Tufford Award by the Northern Indiana Regional Planning Commission yesterday at its meeting near Chesterton.   Tufford was the first executive director of NIRPC and served in that position for 19 years until 1985.

 

The award is given to individuals who display expert leadership, patience, persistence and honesty in their pursuit of improving the quality of lives in their communities and throughout the region.  Morris has held several leadership positions with organizations like NIRPC over the years and once was the NIRPC board chairman.

 

He was also mayor of La Porte for four years beginning in 2004.  Morris said Tuffard was an influence for others to begin thinking more regionally in terms of economic development.

 

“Those of us who have followed in his footsteps, if you will, have been able to capitalize on his regional thinking,” he said.

 

Morris said he was also humbled by an award that reflects such great personal qualities.

 

“I’ve had some wonderful opportunities.  I really have enjoyed and appreciated the ability maybe to have some positive impact with my leadership roles,” he said.

 

Morris, 91, was also president and chief executive officer at La Porte Hospital for over 20 years.