[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 26 (Thursday, February 29, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E260-E261]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   A SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO LEONARD FALCE

                                 ______


                          HON. JAMES A. BARCIA

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 29, 1996

  Mr. BARCIA. Mr. Speaker, a picture captures a moment in time, whether 
traumatic or exhilarating, momentous or trivial. A single photograph 
can cause emotional heartbreak or outfelt joy. A compilation of 
photographs can create a history for our family, or our country. 
Photographers who take these pictures work tireless hours to capture 
just the right moment.
  I rise today to pay tribute to one such photographer. Leonard Falce 
who has spent 39 years with the Bay City Times as staff and chief 
photographer and photo editor, is retiring this month. Leonard has had 
a career filled with award-winning photography and has had a strong 
impact on aspiring photographers.
  Born in Brooklyn and raised in the Bronx and Hell's Kitchen area's of 
New York City, Leonard served his country for 4 years in the U.S. Army. 
He began his exemplary photography career as a photographer's assistant 
with the Tommy Weber Studio in New York. Following a stint with the 
United Press International Newspictures in New York City, he was 
appointed as the newspictures manager in Madison, WI. While in 
Wisconsin, he covered the State capitol and many celebrities, including 
poet Carl Sanburg, Architect Frank Lloyd Wright, and controversial 
Senator Joe McCarthy.
  His professionalism and keen eye ignited his passion for creating 
prize-winning images. One of his most notable photographs was while he 
worked in Fort Wayne, IN, for Carl Hartup at the Fort Wayne News 
Sentinel, in 1955. He photographed a virtually unknown musician, Elvis 
Presley.
  In 1957, Leonard moved to the Bay City Times where he has earned 
several recognitions for his exceptional work. Shortly after he 
started, Leonard and the newsroom staff were 

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awarded a Pulitzer Prize for its coverage of the Capitol Airlines crash 
at Tri-City Airport which killed 47 people. This commitment to 
excellence led to additional awards by the Michigan Press Association. 
Additionally, he led several technological changes, during his tenure 
with the Bay City Times, including facilitating the switch from large 
format cameras to 35mm in the 1950's and launching a photo darkroom 
redesign in 1974.
  Leonard shares his enthusiasm for photography with others in his 
field and has served as a mentor to many future successful 
photographers including members of the Saginaw News, the Detroit Free 
Press, and the Muskegon Chronicle. He will continue to photograph 
during his retirement and will continue to touch aspiring 
photographers.
  He could not have had such a successful career and fulfilled life 
without the support of his wife, Jean, of 34 years. Both gourmet cooks, 
Leonard and Jean collaborated on a food illustration for the Times and 
won awards for those photos. They have two daughters, Julie and Maria, 
and three grandchildren.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in commending Leonard Falce for his 
outstanding career and wishing Leonard and his family health and 
happiness as he enters his retirement.

                          ____________________