[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 80 (Thursday, June 18, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S6637]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            EDWARD LeLECHEUR

 Mr. KERRY. Mr. President, today I want to call the Senate's 
attention to Representative Edward LeLecheur and his long history of 
service to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The citizens of 
Massachusetts have benefitted from his many years of service and 
legislative leadership. Representative LeLecheur has distinguished 
himself as a community leader, an elected official and a family man.
  Edward LeLecheur started out as the proprietor of Stolphine's Market 
in Lowell, MA. This small grocery store is located in the part of 
Lowell know as the Sacred Heart, named for the nearby Catholic church. 
Ed expanded his role in the community by running for and winning 
elected office in 1975. Since then, he has served the eighteenth 
Middlesex District for twenty-three years in the same way he served 
Stolphine's customers: one at a time, with integrity, dedication, and 
compassion.
  Representative LeLecheur's giving spirit has manifested itself in a 
variety of ways. He drives physically challenged people to the Registry 
of Motor Vehicles, and purchases turkeys at Thanksgiving and Christmas 
time which he then delivers door-to-door. Those same people, and 
countless others, enjoy the baseball stadium which Representative 
LeLecheur helped bring to Lowell. Due to Ed LeLecheur, our national 
pastime is now part of the on-going revitalization of Merrimac Valley, 
bringing prosperity and entertainment to families from all the 
surrounding communities.
  As a member of the Ways and Means Committee for the past twelve years 
and as the current chair of the Committee on Personnel and 
Administration, Representative LeLecheur has also extended his spirit 
and service beyond his district. The state has been well served as a 
result of his leadership.
  Representative LeLecheur has been successful not only as a state 
representative, but also as a family man. He and his wife Eileen were 
married on June 4, 1947, more than fifty years ago. Together they 
raised six children and are today the proud grandparents of ten 
grandsons and granddaughters.
  Mr. President, I would like to thank him for his tireless devotion to 
his constituents and neighbors. Representative LeLecheur is an 
inspiration to all of us who work for positive change in our 
communities. I wish him and Eileen the very best as they embark on this 
new chapter in life.

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