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Former First Lady Karen Pence

The 2016 Indiana Bicentennial Commission announced Thursday, February 21, 2013, they have asked First Lady Karen Pence to serve as the official Bicentennial Ambassador—an important, key role in the planning and execution of a statewide celebration for Indiana’s 200^th birthday in 2016.

"I am honored that the Bicentennial Commission has asked me to play a role in this important and historic moment in the life of our state,” said Karen Pence, First Lady.  “I look forward to working with the 2016 Bicentennial Commission, led by former Lt. Governor Becky Skillman and former U.S. Rep. Lee Hamilton, to make the Indiana Bicentennial a celebration for all Hoosiers."

First Lady Pence will work with communities and organizations across the state to highlight the best of Indiana.  She joins a Commission chaired by former Lt. Governor Becky Skillman and former U.S. Representative Lee Hamilton.

“Karen Pence is a natural fit to assist the Bicentennial Commission as we begin to plan Indiana’s 200th celebration of statehood.  As a Hoosier native, educator and artist, she will be a huge asset to the Bicentennial planning.  We appreciate her willingness to be involved and we look forward to working with her,” said former Lt. Governor Becky Skillman and former U.S. Rep. Lee Hamilton, co-chairs of the 2016 Bicentennial Commission.

Indiana’s 2016 Bicentennial celebration aims to honor our state’s 200 years of history, but to do so in a modern way that engages all Hoosiers and leaves a lasting legacy for future generations.  First Lady Pence is encouraging communities to think of ways they can contribute to the celebration.  Key projects already underway include the new standard issued Bicentennial license plate and Bicentennial Nature Trust.

Former Governor Mitch Daniels appointed the 15 member Commission in the fall 2011. To learn more about the 2016 Bicentennial celebration, please visit www.IN.gov/indiana2016.

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First Lady Karen Pence Initiatives

1. Indiana Bicentennial Ambassador
2. Indiana First Lady’s Charitable Foundation
3. Hopeline From Verizon-Assistance to Domestic Violence Survivors
4. Deployment Letters to Indiana National Guard
5. School Visits Across Indiana
6. Art Therapy
7. Riley Children’s Foundation Board of Governors
8. Infant Mortality
9. CASA Columbia Family Day
10. Scholastic Summer Reading Program
11. Assistance League of Indianapolis
12. Annual Tree Trim Program at the Statehouse
13. Statehood Day-Statehouse
14. Christmas at the Capitol
15. Hoosier Art Salon and Cooperative Calendar of Student Art
16. Art Mix Event (over 300 children attend)
17. Boy Scout Camp out at the Governor’s Residence
18. Lupus Awareness
19. Indiana State Fair
20. Indiana Army National Guard Books and Boots
21. Indiana Chamber of Commerce Volunteer of the Year Luncheon
22. Hoosier Heroine Essay Contest
23. Healthy Hoosier Foundation
24. Sagamore Leadership Series
25. Noble Arts Depot Event
26. Dayspring Home Center
27. Wee-Ones Nursery Prison
28. Drumstick Dash
29. Kids Dance Outreach
30. JAG
31. Beehive at the Governor’s Residence
32. Governor’s Prayer Breakfast Participants Dinner
33. 1816 Indiana Bicentennial Tea (Sister-City Bicentennial Letter)
34. Holiday Tours of the Governor’s Residence
35. Lighting of the Governor’s Residence Tree with area school children
36. Trick or Treating at the Residence (400 to 600 children)
37. Legislative events
38. Black Expo
39. DNR Campout
40. Mile with Mike
41. Gold Star Ceremony
42. COPS Cycling for Survivors
43. Greening of the Canal (St. Patrick’s Day)
44. Arbor Day
45. National Governor’s Association (NGA)
46. Foreign Travel Initiatives