[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 97 (Thursday, July 12, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1325]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              TRIBUTE TO WILLIAM E. LEONARD, OF CALIFORNIA

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JOE BACA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 12, 2001

  Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor William E. Leonard, of the 
Inland Empire of California, on the occasion of the dedication of the 
William E. Leonard Interchange (the Interchange of the 210 and I-15). 
Mr. Leonard was instrumental in the design and funding of this freeway 
(extension of the Foothill Freeway).
  William has a long history of involvement in California 
transportation issues. He served as a member of the California State 
Highway Commission from 1973 to 1977 and on the California 
Transportation Commission from 1985 to 1993. He served as Chairman of 
the California Transportation Commission in 1990 and 1991. He also 
currently serves on the state's High-Speed Rail Authority.
  William received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business 
Administration from the University of California at Berkeley.
  He served his country during World War II in the Philippines and 
Japan with the First and Seventh Cavalry Divisions, achieving the rank 
of First Lieutenant.
  William's productive career includes founding and operating the 
Leonard Realty and Building Company since 1946, as well as developing, 
owning, and operating various city auto parks, apartment complexes, 
land subdivisions, and the San Bernardino public golf course.
  William also has served his community and state as a member and 
chairman of the San Bernardino Valley College Foundation; a trustee of 
the St. Bernadine's Hospital Foundation; and member and past chairman 
of the San Bernardino Valley College Foundation; a member of the board 
of the Water Commission of the City of San Bernardino; a member and 
past director of the San Bernardino Chamber of Commerce; a member and 
past director of the San Bernardino Valley Board of Realtors; a past 
director, president, and chairman of the Board of Governors of the 
National Orange Show; a founding member and president of Inland Action; 
a member and president of the San Bernardino Host Lions; a member of 
the Bank of America Inland Division Advisory Board; a member and past 
chairman of the Security Pacific Bank Inland Division Advisory Board; 
and a member, treasurer, and elder of the First Presbyterian Church of 
San Bernardino.
  William was honored by the Valley Group with its Excellence in 
Infrastructure Award; by the East Inland Empire Association of Realtors 
with its President's Exceptional Service Award; by the Boy Scouts of 
America's California Inland Empire Council with its Distinguished 
Citizen's Award; and by the Historical and Pioneer Society with its 
Citizen of the Year Award.
  As the California State Legislature noted, as a result of his 
tireless hard work and unwavering commitment to the State of California 
and to his local community in San Bernardino County and the Inland 
Empire, William E. Leonard has succeeded in compiling an impressive 
record of personal and civic achievement, a record that has earned for 
him the admiration and respect of those persons who have the privilege 
of associating with him.
  It is a pleasure to salute William and to join with his family in 
offering congratulations and good wishes on this happy occasion. This 
interchange dedication is something that William has earned over a 
lifetime of achievement, distinction, and public service.

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