[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 75 (Thursday, June 11, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1115-E1116]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   WELDON RECOGNIZES CONSTITUENTS FOR COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY SERVICE

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                            HON. CURT WELDON

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 11, 1998

  Mr. WELDON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring to my 
colleagues' attention the dedication of four of my constituents to 
their communities. This Wednesday, June 17, 1998, Mr. Wilbur C. 
Henderson, Mr. Lee Taliaferro, Jr., Mr. Lester J. Smith, Sr., and Ms. 
Carol Lecher will be honored by the Neighbor to Neighbor Community 
Development Corporation at their First Appreciation Dinner, which 
recognizes citizens committed to community service.
  Wilbur Henderson, a leader in the business community for over fifty 
years, is Chairman of the Henderson Group, Inc., specializing in 
investment real estate. Currently he sits on the Board of Directors of 
the Greater Philadelphia First Corporation; the Board of Directors of 
the Renewal Counseling Service; the Board of Trustees of Drexel 
University as Trustee Emeritus; and the Board of Trustees of Florida 
Technical School. Aside from his obvious dedication to education, 
Wilbur serves Folcroft Union Church as a Senior Deacon and is a member 
of the St. Alban-Swain Masonic Lodge #529. Wilbur's generous 
contributions to his community have provided a handicapped equipped van 
and mechanical wheelchair lift for the members of the First African 
Baptist Church of Sharon Hill, Pennsylvania. I wish to commend Wilbur 
Henderson for his outstanding service to the local community.
  Throughout his life Lee Taliaferro has dedicated himself to his 
fellow citizens. In his thirty years at the Budd Company, Lee was 
elected to many positions including trustee and member of the executive 
board, as well as a national delegate of the United Auto Workers Union 
Local #13. After retiring from the Budd Company, Lee continued his life 
of civil service. A member of the Darby Township Volunteer Fire Company 
#4 for over thirty-five

[[Page E1116]]

years, Lee served as Fire Chief, President and Chairman of the Board of 
Directors, and Fire Marshall. Lee also held the positions of Judge of 
Elections and Township Commissioner. Lee has also served God as a loyal 
member and trustee of the First African Methodist Episcopal Church. I 
wish to congratulate Lee Taliaferro for receiving this award in honor 
of his timeless service to his community.
  Lester Smith, owner of Smithy's Barber Shop in Darby Township, has 
served both his family and community faithfully. After serving in the 
Air Force for four years, Lester returned to his family and help his 
father raise his nine brothers and sisters. He joined his father in the 
family business after attending Tri-City Barber School. Today, Smithy's 
Barber Shop stands as a landmark in Darby Township, with players of the 
Philadelphia Eagles frequenting the shop. Lester has sponsored a 
softball team in his community and has served St. Barbara's as an usher 
and president of the Men's Club. For his dedication to his community 
and family, I recognize Mr. Lester Smith.
  Carol Lecher has been an educator in the Southeast Delco School 
District for over thirty four years. But her educating has not stopped 
at the doors of Harris Elementary School. She has taught both Sunday 
School and Summer Vacation Bible School at the Media Presbyterian 
Church and has been instrumental in the development of the Neighbor to 
Neighbor Community Development Corporation After-School Tutorial 
Program. As an educator, Carol has touched the lives of many young 
people and continues to do so today. My deepest regards go out to Ms. 
Lecher for her selfless service.
  In addition to these outstanding civil servants, I would like to 
thank Mr. Richard A. Dent and the entire Board of Directors and 
Advisory Board of Neighbor to Neighbor for sponsoring these awards in 
recognition of those individuals who seek to serve their communities. 
Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing all of these 
fine Americans.

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