[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 159 (Tuesday, December 11, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1907]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   A TRIBUTE TO MR. WALLACE LEINWAND

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE McINTYRE

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 11, 2012

  Mr. McINTYRE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Mr. Wallace 
Leinwand, of Elizabethtown, North Carolina, for his commitment and 
service to his community. Mr. Leinwand was a public servant, community 
businessman, devoted family man and a dear friend to me and my family. 
Mr. Leinwand passed away on December 6, 2012, and he will be dearly 
missed by all who knew him.
  Mr. Leinwand was born in Branchtown, South Carolina, but moved to 
Elizabethtown, North Carolina at the age of 13. He served in the United 
States Air Force from 1943-1946, when he was honorably discharged as a 
Sergeant. He then returned to Elizabethtown to aid his father in 
running the family business, Leinwand's, which he would in turn come to 
own, and which is now the oldest continuous business in Elizabethtown 
after 77 years in operation.
  Yet, Mr. Leinwand served as more than just a business owner to the 
people of Bladen County. Driven by love for his community and its 
people, he served as Mayor Pro-Tempore, and later, Mayor of 
Elizabethtown, President of Elizabethtown Rotary Club and Elizabethtown 
Jaycees, Chairman of the East Bladen High School Advisory Council, and 
as a member of the Board of Directors of Wachovia Bank. His 
contributions to these and numerous other civic organizations 
demonstrate his lifelong pride in his community.
  Mr. Leinwand was also an avid supporter of Bladen County athletics. 
In addition to his work as a founding organizer of the Elizabethtown 
Little League, he was also a chief booster for the athletics programs 
of Elizabethtown High School, Bladen Central High School, East Bladen 
High School, and middle school sports.
  Mr. Speaker, may we never forget the goodness, humility, service, and 
character that defined the life of Wallace Leinwand. His record of 
community and civic service will long be a legacy that will benefit all 
of the citizens of Elizabethtown and Bladen County. I know that his 
personal friendship with my father and their work together in the North 
Carolina Jaycees established a relationship with his family that has 
continued to bless my family now for three generations, and I'm sure 
will continue into the future. In fact, his son, Ricky Leinwand, who 
now runs the family business and serves on the Town Council of 
Elizabethtown, has continued his father's legacy of a very special 
friendship with my family.
  May God continue to bless Mr. Leinwand's beloved wife, Shirley, all 
of his loved ones, the work he did, and the greatness that he inspired 
within all who knew him.