[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 79 (Wednesday, June 17, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1151]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO CECIL LEBERKNIGHT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN P. MURTHA

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 17, 1998

  Mr. MURTHA. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity before 
my Colleagues in the House of Representatives to honor a great America, 
Mr. Cecil Leberknight.
  We've heard many people praised for being ``great Americans'' in this 
Chamber, and in most cases, you think of some nationally known figure. 
Cecil is not nationally famous for his achievements, but he still fits 
the description as well as anyone.
  Mr. Cecil Leberknight is a native of Cambria County, Pennsylvania who 
has devoted his life to public service where it most directly impacts 
people and communities, at the local level. For fifty years he has 
served, in numerous capacities, as the champion of Pennsylvania's 
boroughs. He began his incredible career of service in the winter of 
1948, when he became Dale Borough councilman in Cambria County, 
Pennsylvania, which is still his and his wife Dorothy's home. Since 
then, he has served with over 100 council members. The list of career 
accomplishments of this one man is amazing. Just reading the list is 
exhausting.
  In the 1950's he was elected and reelected to serve as President of 
the 33 member Cambria County Borough Association and has represented 
that county at the state borough association level since 1957. In 1962, 
he was elected to the Pennsylvania Assembly, where he continued to 
champion the cause of public service, working tirelessly to obtain 
better working conditions and pay for police, firemen, school teachers 
and administrators, and nurses.
  Mr. Leberknight also chaired the Governor's Justice Commission in the 
last 1960's, served on the Johnstown Flood Museum and Heritage 
Association as both president and board member. Additionally, he has 
also been: vice chairman of the Johnstown Area Regional Planning 
Commission, president of Dale Borough Historical Association, board 
member and treasurer of the Johnstown Symphony Orchestra, president of 
the Historic Sandyvale Cemetery Association, charter member of the 
Cambria County Chapter of Pennsylvania Clean Ways, organizer, charter 
member and treasurer of the Pennsylvania 12th District Equipment 
Center, and member of the Greater Johnstown Watershed Association.
  He hasn't stopped. Currently, Mr. Leberknight serves as president of 
the Cambria County Housing Corporation, where he's been for the last 
seven years. Additionally he holds numerous citations from, and 
honorary lifetime memberships in, local volunteer and civic 
organizations.
  If that weren't enough, Cecil is also a champion of education. His 
interest in improving and promoting education has led him to hold 
positions such as the State Legislative Chairman of the Pennsylvania 
Congress of Parents and Teachers, president of the Cambria County 
Council of Parents and Teachers, Adult Scouter with the Robert E. Peary 
Council of the Boy Scouts of America, and a charter and current board 
member of the Cambria County Ethnic Arts and Cultural Center.
  I think that is an extraordinary resume. I am so proud and honored to 
have known Cecil for most of my life and feel fortunate to live in a 
town that has a person like him working for it. In addition to being a 
person who is so civically motivated and cares so much about his 
community, he is also a great friend and a great family man. He is 
truly an outstanding person and I am very pleased to be able to 
congratulate him as he celebrates fifty years of public service.
  Congratulations, Cecil, and thank you.

                          ____________________