[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 81 (Wednesday, May 16, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1060-E1061]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    JAMES A. LEACH FEDERAL BUILDING

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 15, 2007

  Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of 
H.R. 1505 to designate the Federal building located at 131 East 4th 
Street in Davenport, Iowa, as the ``James A. Leach Federal Building.''
  James Leach was born in Davenport, Iowa in 1942. Representing Iowa, 
he served in the House of Representatives for 30 years. Mr. Leach is a 
man of great honor, serving his state and country nobly, admirably and 
tirelessly. Mr. Leach was a career public servant, chairing several 
Committees during his time in Congress.
  During his time in Congress, Mr. Leach respected individual rights, 
choices and freedoms and voted to protect them. In the 109th Congress, 
I had the good fortune of working with him on the International 
Relations Committee where he spoke often for dignity of mankind and 
human rights. Jim was a caring and compassionate hands on person who 
led a congressional delegation to western Indonesia after the December 
26th, 2004 tsunami where he witnessed one of the most traumatic natural 
disasters in the past several centuries. His work was instrumental in 
securing disaster relief funds for this devastated area.
  Mr. Leach holds eight honorary degrees, has received decorations from 
two foreign governments, and is the recipient of the Wayne Morse 
Integrity in Politics Award, the Woodrow Wilson Award from Johns 
Hopkins University, the Adlai Stevenson Award from the United Nations 
Association, and the Edger Wayburn Award from the Sierra Club. In 2000, 
the Independent Bankers Association honored James Leach by creating 
``The James A. Leach Leadership Award'', named for the Iowa 
Congressman. Mr. Leach served as chairman of the House Banking 
Committee from 1995 to 2001. The James A. Leach Leadership Award honors 
bankers for outstanding service to the banking industry. These examples 
exemplify his respect as a person and public servant.

[[Page E1061]]

  Madam Speaker, today I have the privilege in joining my colleagues in 
honoring this distinguished gentleman and good friend by designating 
the U.S. courthouse located on 131 East 4th Street in Davenport, Iowa, 
as the ``James A. Leach United States Courthouse''.

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