[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 106 (Friday, July 29, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1686-E1687]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  SHERIFF LAWRENCE ``LUMPY'' LEVEILLE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BART STUPAK

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 28, 2005

  Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an 
outstanding law enforcement officer who 40 years ago began his 
dedicated career in St. Ignace, Michigan as a police officer and rose 
through the ranks to head the Mackinac County Sheriff's Department. 
Sheriff Lawrence ``Lumpy'' Leveille retired this past winter with eight 
service stars upon his epaulets, each representing five years on the 
force. Sheriff Leveille's nearly 40 years as a law enforcement officer 
and leader stand as a shining example to us all.
  Sheriff Leveille graduated from LaSalle High School in St. Ignace in 
1965 where in the 10th grade he was given the nickname ``Lumpy''. Being 
native of the first city across the Mackinac Bridge from Michigan's 
Lower Peninsula, it seemed fitting for Leveille to return to St. Ignace 
when he began his career as a police officer on May 25th, 1965. That 
same year on September 11, he married Ara Jean Litzner. Through the 
years, they have grown their family with five children and eleven 
grandchildren. After nine years of patrolling and protecting St. Ignace 
along the shores of the Straights of Mackinac, Leveille was promoted to 
Sergeant of the local police department.
  Among his long list of accomplishments, Sheriff Leveille has 
decreased the number of drunk driving arrests thanks to new technology 
and better training for his officers, despite the increase in Mackinac 
County's population. He has improved safety for residents and his 
officers because of new cameras installed on patrol cars and in booking 
rooms which have lead to a reduction in criminal trials. He was also 
able to achieve fast finger print and background searches to help 
officers as well as the Straits Area Narcotics Enforcement Team. 
Sheriff Leveille's staff of 22 and budget of about $1.5 million made 
his department the largest in the county.
  Although Sheriff Leveille's career with the Mackinac County Sheriff's 
Department has come to an end, he has continued to serve the public as 
a Mackinac County Commissioner. There he has and will continue to have 
an influence on local policy with the best interests of County 
residents in mind. Having worked with many of the people involved in 
the county's administration, ``Lumpy'' Leveille's transition to the 
Board has been smooth as he works to bring a better harmony to the 
system.
  On a personal note, Mr. Speaker, as a former State Trooper myself, I 
have had the pleasure of knowing Sheriff Leveille over the years and 
can attest to his impeccable reputation of being a fair and honest 
protector of the people. I know that through his work he has 
encountered both exciting opportunities to grow with the community but 
also hard times when tragedy and tough times affected the area. He has 
given his heart and soul to his work and I have always admired his 
dedication to the people of Mackinac County and Michigan's First 
Congressional District.

[[Page E1687]]

  Mr. Speaker, I ask the U.S. House of Representatives to join me in 
thanking Sheriff Lawrence ``Lumpy'' Leveille for his nearly 40 years of 
service to the people of St. Ignace, Mackinac County and to the State 
of Michigan and wish him well in his new position. Lawrence ``Lumpy'' 
Leveille's commitment to community and to justice has been a model of 
public service.

                          ____________________