[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 65 (Wednesday, May 9, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E741]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING TOM LEONARD

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN F. TIERNEY

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 9, 2012

  Mr. TIERNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize and commend, Tom 
Leonard, who will be receiving the 2012 Essex Heritage Hero Award 
tonight.
  Having championed heritage preservation and responsible stewardship 
of the region's historic, cultural, and natural resources during his 
eight-year tenure as the founding president of the Essex National 
Heritage Commission and now as its president emeritus, Tom is certainly 
deserving of this honor.
  However, those in attendance at tonight's award dinner will know that 
Tom's service to his community did not begin with nor is it limited to 
his work with the Essex National Heritage Commission. Throughout his 
life, Tom has been dedicated to making our neighborhoods better places 
to live, work, and raise a family as well as increasing opportunities 
for children and young adults, particularly those who attend his alma 
mater, St. John's Preparatory School in Danvers. Tom is a selfless 
leader, a man of integrity, and a true citizen.
  Tom's awards and accomplishments are too long to list, but I would be 
remiss if! did not mention that, in 2006, Essex Heritage established 
the Thomas M. Leonard Partnership Grant Program. This unique effort is 
focused on educating our youth and increasing their awareness about our 
region's natural and historic resources. Grants have been awarded to 
local schools and the National Park Service to enable more kids from 
outside of Salem to visit the Salem Maritime and Saugus Iron Works 
National Historic sites. Additionally, over the years, Tom has been 
recognized by the American Cancer Society, the Salem Harbor Community 
Development Corporation, the Salem Chamber of Commerce, the Salem 
Rotary Club, and the Danvers Community Council.
  Mr. Speaker, that impressive list will grow when Tom receives the 
2012 Essex Heritage Hero Award this evening. I want to congratulate Tom 
and his wife, Marge, and their sons, Michael and Mark, and their entire 
extended family on this great honor.

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