[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 1 (Tuesday, January 20, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Pages S26-S27]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO LEE LEIGHTON

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I rise today to congratulate a man who is a 
husband, a father, a grandfather, a friend, and a hero.
  Chief Lee Leighton is retiring after a remarkable career of 34 years 
with the fire department of Sparks, NV.
  From the time Lee was born in Lynn, MA, he can never remember a time 
when he did not want to follow in his father's footsteps as a public 
servant. After the family moved to Nevada, his father joined the Washoe 
County Sheriff's office, and he showed Lee through example how 
important a job and a life's work can be.
  Lee looked up to his dad. And as he looked toward his own future, he 
hoped to become either a policeman or a firefighter. As fate would have 
it, the fire department called him first, so he became a fireman.
  Being the oldest of four children, Lee has always been a leader. He 
began his career in the fire department in August of 1969, and a few 
years later became the pump operator driver. The department, 
recognizing his ambition, promoted him to Captain in 1977. Over the 
years, Lee's dedication to the fire department was acknowledged and he 
was appointed battalion chief and then department chief. For the past 
3\1/2\ years he has been the fire chief of the Sparks Fire Department.
  When Lee joined the department, it had about 30 people. Now there are 
almost 100. He is leaving the department in good shape, with response 
times that are as good as any in the Nation.
  His commitment to Nevada is evident not only through the years he 
spent working for the Sparks Fire Department, but through his passion 
and love for his job and life. This passion has also inspired his four 
sons to become firemen. They are serving Nevada through the Reno Fire 
Department, Storey County Fire Department, and Nevada Division of 
Forestry.
  Lee's life as a public servant went beyond the Fire Department. He 
served 6 years in the Marine Corps Reserve, and Nevada Governor Kenny 
Guinn appointed him as a member of the Board of Fire Services. In 
addition, Lee participated as a member of the Department's Honor Guard, 
former chairman of the Sparks Fire Department Commendation Review 
Committee, and chairman of the Sparks Fire Department History Book 
Committee.
  Sixteen years ago he met his future wife, Roberta Leighton. Roberta, 
or ``Bobbi,'' was working as a police and fire dispatcher. Lee with his 
four sons, and Bobbi with two daughters and one son, became good 
friends. Over 8 years,

[[Page S27]]

that friendship evolved into love, and they married in March of 1996. 
This March they will celebrate their eighth anniversary.
  Lee and Bobbi plan to spend a few well-deserved months in Mexico, 
relaxing and enjoying the life they have established together. Of 
course, they will spend a lot of time with their seven children and six 
grandchildren. And Lee will now have more time to ride his Harley, 
possibly in the upcoming Street Vibrations festival, an annual 
celebration for motorcycle enthusiasts in Sparks and nearby Reno.
  As they look forward to retirement, Lee and Bobbi can also look back 
on a job well done, a life well lived, and the important role they 
played in Sparks, NV.
  So today, on behalf of all Nevadans, I offer congratulations and 
gratitude to Lee and Bobbi Leighton.

                          ____________________