[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 115 (Thursday, July 28, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1430-E1431]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




IN MEMORY OF MR. A.J. LEGER, LOCAL ENTREPRENEUR, DEDICATED VOLUNTEER TO 
                       SOUTHEAST TEXAS COMMUNITY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEVIN BRADY

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 28, 2011

  Mr. BRADY of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in memory of Mr. A.J. 
Leger, a dedicated community volunteer, a veteran of the Marine Corp, 
and a shining example of a successful entrepreneur here in America. 
Growing up in Lafayette, Louisiana, Mr. Leger had a jump start on his 
career in the restaurant business back in 1952 at the ripe age of 12 
years old working as a busboy at Don's Seafood and Steakhouse in his 
hometown. Who would have thought nearly 16 years later he would own his 
own restaurant employing his own busboys. His is a story familiar to 
all of us, as this is the story of America and the opportunities 
afforded to its citizens.
  Soon after his graduation, Mr. Leger married his high school 
sweetheart, Patricia, before spending 6 years in the Marine Corps. 
After being honorably discharged, Mr. Leger picked up where he left off 
on his restaurant career becoming kitchen manager at Don's Seafood in 
both Baton Rouge and Shreveport locations. In 1968, Mr. Leger decided 
to cross the Sabine River, and open up with his two business partners 
one of the longest running and most successful restaurants in Beaumont, 
Texas, Don's Seafood located right off Interstate 10.
  Mr. Leger served for over 40 years as an active member of the Sabine 
Area Restaurant Association, was awarded Outstanding Restaurateur 
Sabine Area Chapter by the Texas

[[Page E1431]]

Restaurant Association and in 1997 the association selected him for 
their highest honor by induction to the TRA's Hall of Fame.
  In his free time, Mr. Leger could be found cooking for local 
fundraisers and charitable organizations such as the Young Mens 
Business League, Greater Beaumont Chamber of Commerce, City of 
Beaumont, Texas Fire Museum, Boys Haven, and at the Texas State 
Capitol. Best known for his gumbo, Mr. Leger once said he had ``cooked 
enough gumbo to float a battleship, over 12,000 lobsters, and millions 
of pounds of crawfish''.
  On Tuesday, May 31, 2011, Mr. Leger went to be with our Lord but he 
will always be remembered and highly thought of by the many lives he 
touched and the countless hours he devoted giving back to the community 
he called home. Mr. Leger leaves behind his high school sweetheart, 
Patricia, to whom he was married for 52 years and three loving 
daughters, Rhonda, Angie, and Jodie with families of their own, 
including five grandchildren.
  Mr. Speaker, stories like A.J. Leger's remind us of what truly makes 
America a great Nation. It is an honor to join with the Southeast Texas 
community in honoring the life of Mr. A.J. Leger.

                          ____________________