[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 71 (Monday, May 17, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S5435]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

                                 ______
                                 

                   TRIBUTE TO MR. KENNETH J. LEENSTRA

 Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the 
accomplishments of a Vermont business and civic leader who is retiring 
today. Kenneth J. Leenstra is leaving as the president of General 
Dynamics Armament Systems in Burlington, VT. Over the past 35 years, he 
held several management positions at General Electric, Lockheed-Martin, 
and most recently at General Dynamics.
  Ken oversaw the Burlington plant through the defense drawdown after 
the end of the cold war. It was a difficult time for the workers, and 
for managers like Ken who struggled to keep his plant efficient while 
orders dwindled. Through it all, Ken was dedicated to developing 
solutions that met the needs of his customers, and on maintaining a 
commitment to quality that meant that Burlington-made products were 
second to none. His commitment to quality earned his business numerous 
awards that are widely recognized across the defense industry.
  On behalf of his many friends in the Burlington area, I want to 
express my thanks to Ken and his family and wish him the very best as 
he embarks on his retirement.

                          ____________________