[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 147 (Monday, October 1, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Page S12347]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          TRIBUTE TO HARRY LEE

  Ms. LANDRIEU. Mr. President, I come to the floor today to speak just 
very briefly about a loss Louisiana has suffered--and, in many ways, 
the Nation--of a great political leader, a great political figure, and 
a friend to many.
  Earlier this morning, Sheriff Harry Lee of Jefferson Parish passed 
away after a battle with leukemia. As my colleagues know, I come from a 
place of rich political heritage, colorful characters, and of amazing 
and fantastic stories at times about our political figures. Among the 
most colorful, though, was Sheriff Harry Lee, who stood out and stood 
tall for so many years. He served the people of Jefferson Parish since 
1979 as their sheriff, but he started life in Louisiana in a much more 
humble way.
  Harry was born in the back room of a Chinese laundry in downtown New 
Orleans to immigrant parents, Bing and Yip Lee, who instilled in him a 
strong and very determined spirit that would serve him well and serve 
all of us well for the rest of his life.
  After a promising educational start at Francis T. Nicholls, where he 
served as both senior class president and student body president, Harry 
went on to college at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. He 
joined the ROTC Program there and was recognized early on as an 
outstanding cadet. He didn't stop there, though. His next step was to 
serve the country in the Air Force during the height of the Cold War. 
He served in the famous Strategic Command. His Air Force career led him 
to make a great decision in life, and that was to marry Lai Beet Woo, 
his wife of 40 years.
  When Harry returned to Louisiana, he took over the family restaurant 
and convinced his father to allow him to attend law school. He excelled 
and became the first Federal magistrate for the Eastern District of 
Louisiana. He soon then, through many political contacts and his great 
spirit and gregarious nature and classwork, became parish attorney for 
Jefferson Parish.
  Then, in 1975 and shortly thereafter, he was elected sheriff, a post 
he held for more than two decades, and he became a household name in 
Louisiana. This story has probably been tracked by others, but for 
Harry Lee, who comes from a Chinese-American background, at the time he 
was elected sheriff I think he was the highest ranking Chinese official 
and the only Chinese-American sheriff in the country. He was always 
extremely proud of that, proud of his heritage, always reminding us of 
that singular accomplishment.
  After being a larger-than-life force in the realm of criminal justice 
for over 30 years, as I said this morning, he finally lost his own 
battle with leukemia. He had fought and won many battles on the streets 
in Jefferson Parish, in the courtrooms, and also in the court of public 
opinion.
  Harry Lee's success says something important about our country--the 
son of immigrants who goes on to not only serve his parish, his city, 
his region, but went on to befriend Presidents, Republicans and 
Democrats, being the go-to person when people of great political 
distinction would come to our State. They always wanted to see and talk 
with Harry Lee.
  Like all of us in public life, his tenure was not without 
controversy, but he was fiercely loyal to his deputies. There are 
thousands of deputies, current and former, who are mourning his passing 
today.
  Looking back on a life like this, you can only think that his father 
and mother, Bing Yip Lee, who have long passed away, must have looked 
down and smiled on their son's accomplishments.
  The loss of this singular figure in Louisiana politics is not only a 
loss to Jefferson Parish and to the State of Louisiana, but it is a 
loss to this great country that we all try our best to serve.
  I want to extend my heartfelt condolences to the Lee family, to the 
deputies, to the law enforcement officials of Jefferson Parish in our 
State who are mourning this loss today. I hope we will all take some 
solace from the fact that they are being joined by so many mourners who 
recognize and appreciate a life well lived.
  In closing, a not-so-secret hobby of Harry's was singing. I cannot 
say he would have ever made records, but he tried and he sang with 
great zest. At many jazz fests, he would be tempted to the stage by his 
friend Willie Nelson. They would often sing together. His favorite song 
was ``Welcome to My World.'' I would like to say to Harry today: Thank 
you for welcoming us to your world, Sheriff Lee. You served us well, 
and you will be missed.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator from Iowa is 
recognized.

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