[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 12 (Wednesday, February 4, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S588]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO JOSEPH E. LETA

 Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, I rise to pay tribute to Joseph E. 
Leta, whose endless enthusiasm and energy promoted many of Colorado's 
sportsmen's organizations. Mr. Leta, who passed away on January 14, 
2004, was a champion of wildlife and conservation programs. Joe was a 
lifetime member of numerous sporting organizations which included in 
Safari Club International, SCIF Sables, Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep 
Foundation, The Mule Deer Foundation, The Elk Foundation, The Alaskan 
and Canadian Outfitters Association, The Wild Turkey Federation, and 
The National Rifle Association.
  He had a particular passion for Safari Club International and served 
as President of the SCI Denver Chapter until September 2003. 
Concurrently and subsequent to his tenure as Chapter President, he was 
also very active at the National level for SCIF by serving on the 
Ethics Committee, The Conservation Committee, The Guides and Outfitters 
Committee, Director of SCIF Nominating Committee, Governmental Affairs 
Committee, Convention Committee, Humanitarian Committee, and as a 
Director at Large.
  In recognition of Joe's years of dedicated service, the Safari Club 
International will posthumously present him with the President's Award 
at SCI's 32nd Annual Hunters' Convention in Reno, NV in January 2004.
  As president of the SCI Denver Chapter, he inaugurated the 
establishment of the SCI Denver Sables, which is a club venue for 
sports women and men dedicated to preserving our hunting heritage 
through education. Joe recently proposed that the SCI Denver Chapter 
establish a scholarship fund for needy junior and senior college 
students who major in wildlife and conservation management. As a 
tribute to Joe, the Board of Directors approved the proposal and named 
the fund The SCIF Sables Joe Leta Hunting Heritage Scholarship Fund.
  During Joe's tenure as SCI Denver Chapter President, he presided over 
such club accomplishments as promoting the Sportsmen Against Hunger 
Program, which distributed over 3,000 pounds of fresh salmon to 
Colorado's various humanitarian food banks. He also presided over 
several revenue generating programs for the benefit of the Colorado 
Division of Wildlife by promoting big game hunting licenses. Numerous 
wildlife students at Colorado State University have received 
educational grants from the SCI Denver Chapter under Joe's direction.
  Joe was even instrumental in helping the Wyoming Game and Fish 
Department by directing SCI funds to construct an anti-poaching cabin 
in one of Wyoming's more remote regions where unlawful hunting was a 
problem. Joe was also a champion of the newly formed Colorado 
Sportsman's Caucus which is a sportsman's support group that interfaces 
with members of the Colorado Legislature on hunting, fishing and 
various other outdoor and wildlife issues.
  After graduating from Youngstown University and completing a tour of 
duty in the U.S. Air Force as an x-ray technician, Joe joined Picker 
International as a sales representative for their Medical Imaging 
Equipment Division. He retired from Picker after 30 years of service as 
a regional sales manager.
  Joe Leta was born July 16, 1931 in New Castle, PA as the only child 
of Joseph and Edith Leta. His wife of 49 years, Shirley and their three 
children, Joseph, Jr., Christopher, Lisa (Charles) Stanley, and one 
grandchild, Lacy, survive him.
  Joe and Shirley resided in Evergreen, CO for the past 26 years and 
they are members of Christ the King Catholic Church and the Hiwan Golf 
Club in Evergreen, Colorado.

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