[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 29 (Thursday, February 28, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1007-S1008]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
RETIREMENT OF WAYNE LEONARD
Ms. LANDRIEU. Mr. President, I rise today to honor Wayne Leonard, who
served as Entergy's chief executive officer from 1999 and chairman/CEO
from 2006 until January 2013. Over the course of those years, his
visionary leadership as Entergy's top executive also encompassed
impassioned advocacy for issues such as climate change, poverty and
social justice. To a great extent, his compassion for people from all
walks of life and his desire to protect the environment for future
generations came to define his tenure at Entergy.
When Leonard was named CEO in 1999, he began calling for action by
business, community, and political leaders to break the cycle of
poverty that has stunted economic growth in the mid-South region for
generations. Since that time, Entergy has donated more than $50 million
to charitable initiatives and advocacy efforts that successfully helped
move low-income residents toward self-sufficiency. Among them were
campaigns to improve early childhood education programs and financial
support of a matched-savings program that has helped 19,000 people and
created an economic impact of $69 million over the last decade.
Leonard pioneered the pursuit of sustainability within his industry.
Early on, he recognized the importance to the industry's future of
operating in an economically, environmentally, and socially sustainable
manner. His achievements include a number of landmarks that set the
standard and shaped the future for the energy industry. Under his
leadership, in 2001 Entergy became the first utility in the United
States to commit to voluntarily reduce greenhouse gas emissions. At the
same time, work force safety, customer satisfaction, and strong
regulatory relationships were always top priorities for Leonard.
Entergy has delivered top-quartile shareholder return--the overarching
financial goal Leonard set for the company--since he was announced as
CEO in 1998.
After the devastation of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Leonard led the
restoration not just of a company but also a city and its surrounding
region. Entergy and its charitable foundation donated more than $20
million to nonprofits working to rebuild the physical, intellectual,
and cultural assets of New Orleans. When Katrina's damages prompted
Entergy to consider relocating its corporate headquarters, Leonard
lobbied to keep Entergy in New Orleans and take a lead role in the
city's revitalization and renewal.
Leonard has personally received numerous national honors in
recognition of his outstanding leadership, including Platts Global
Energy CEO of the Year, the Anti-Defamation League Torch of Liberty
Award, and the National Wildlife Federation Achievement Award. During
his tenure, Entergy was named to the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for
11 consecutive years for demonstrating strong financial performance and
outstanding leadership in environmental and social commitment.
Leonard's passionate commitment to building a strong, sustainable
company, community, and energy industry never wavered in 14 years. In
honor of his legacy, Entergy endowed a $5 million charitable fund upon
his retirement to continue his work on climate change, poverty, and
social justice issues. The fund is being endowed through shareholder-
funded donations to the Entergy Charitable Foundation, with Leonard
serving as an adviser.
While I will miss working with Wayne to improve both New Orleans and
Louisiana, I applaud the work he has done to leave my city and my State
stronger, healthier, and on the path to a brighter future.
[[Page S1008]]
Mr. CASEY. Mr. President, today I rise to honor and remember the full
life of Marlene ``Linny'' Fowler for her exceptional service to her
community, commonwealth and country.
Marlene was born in New York City, the oldest child of Harold and
Miriam Oberkotter. Though she was raised in Harrington Park, NJ,
Marlene spent her adult life living in Pennsylvania. Marlene, known
affectionately as Linny, was a renowned philanthropist, artist and a
pillar of her adopted community. Today I wish to honor her as such.
As a philanthropist, her influence can been seen across Northeast
Pennsylvania, particularly in Bethlehem, the city she had called home
since 1965. Upon the passing of her father Harold, a late UPS chief
executive, Marlene became one of the wealthiest individuals in the
Lehigh Valley. Choosing to eschew large homes or fancy cars, Marlene
instead gave generously to support the arts, education and children.
She helped to establish a childcare center and Hispanic Youth Center at
Northampton County Community College as well as the college's Southside
campus, which proudly bears her family name. Her generosity also helped
send hundreds of students to colleges and universities that they would
otherwise have been unable to afford to attend. Even with her health
failing, Marlene worked hard to maintain her involvement with the
community up until her passing. Although she kept the total of her
generosity a secret, by her own admission she gave away tens of
millions of dollars over the course of her life.
As an artist, Marlene was trained in the art of stained glass, which
she taught throughout her life. She also maintained a studio at the
Banana Factory in Bethlehem, an institution she helped fund. As a
pillar of her community, Marlene made sure her philanthropic efforts
always had a human touch. She met with needy families and non-profit
directors in the living room of her own home, investing herself as much
as her money. Even as recent economic difficulties forced her to scale
back some of her giving, she still continued to keep track of all the
youth she helped send to school.
As Marlene's family and friends mourn her loss, I pray that they will
be comforted by the knowledge that this great Nation will never forget
the generosity of Marlene ``Linny'' Fowler. May she rest in peace.
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