[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 137 (Wednesday, November 12, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Page S5957]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO LEROY GOODMAN

 Mr. HELLER. Mr. President, I wish to congratulate Mayor LeRoy 
Goodman, of Fernley, on his retirement. After serving as the mayor of 
Fernley for several years, Mayor Goodman will be retiring on November 
19, 2014. It gives me great pleasure to congratulate him on his 
retirement after 42 years of hard work and dedication to the Silver 
State.
  Upon graduating from the University of Nevada, Reno, with a 
bachelor's degree in business, Mayor Goodman went on to earn his 
master's degree in education and became a basketball coach and teacher 
at Fernley High School in 1965. Aside from dedicating his time 
educating the youth in Fernley, he has devoted much of his time and 
efforts to the betterment of his community through his roles as a board 
member of the Northern Nevada Development Authority, a member of the 
Fernley Town Board, sitting on the board of directors for a multitude 
of Nevada organizations, and as Lyon county commissioner. His many 
years of experience made him an ideal candidate for Fernley Mayor after 
the resignation of former Mayor Todd Cutler. Upon being sworn in as 
mayor on August 5, 2009, he immediately began working on improving the 
functioning of the council and city operations. His main focus remained 
his constituency and ensuring their needs and priorities were met.
  I have been fortunate during my time in Congress to be able to work 
closely with Mayor Goodman on Federal legislation--the Fernley Economic 
Self-Determination Act, S.1983, which will provide the city of Fernley 
the option to purchase Federal lands within the city's boundaries that 
are currently landlocked by checkerboard parcels of Federal land. 
Working alongside private business partners and State and Federal 
regional agencies, we are seeking to develop a long-term sustainable 
economic development plan that will enable all parties to benefit from 
the use of private land within the city. This bill will greatly help 
the city and will clear the way for thousands of high-paying, private 
sector jobs. The progress we have made in Congress on this initiative 
would not be possible without the mayor's strong leadership.
  His service to the Fernley community extends far beyond the many 
positions he has held in the Silver State over the years. Mayor Goodman 
also served his country as a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Air Force. 
I extend my deepest gratitude to Mayor Goodman for his courageous 
contributions to the United States of America and to freedom-loving 
nations around the world. His service to his country and his bravery 
and dedication earn him a place among the outstanding men and women who 
have valiantly defended our Nation.
  As a member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, I recognize 
that Congress has a responsibility not only to honor these brave 
individuals who serve America but also to ensure they are cared for 
when they return home. I remain committed to upholding this promise for 
our veterans and servicemembers in Nevada and throughout the Nation.
  I am grateful for his dedication and commitment to the people of 
Fernley and to the State of Nevada. He exemplifies the highest 
standards of leadership and community service and should be proud of 
his long and meaningful career. Today, I ask that all of my colleagues 
join me in congratulating Mayor Goodman on his retirement, and I offer 
my deepest appreciation for all that he has done to make Nevada an even 
better place. I offer my best wishes for many successful and fulfilling 
years to come.

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