[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 55 (Tuesday, April 12, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E431]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF ILLINOIS REPRESENTATIVE DAVID LEITCH

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                           HON. DARIN LaHOOD

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 12, 2016

  Mr. LaHOOD. Mr. Speaker, I would like to honor Illinois State 
Representative David Leitch for his tireless contributions and 
dedication to public service in the State of Illinois.
  Representative David Leitch, State Representative of the 73rd House 
District of Illinois and a resident of the 18th Congressional District, 
has dedicated nearly three decades serving his constituents in the 
Illinois General Assembly. His top-notch commitment to providing timely 
and effective constituent service to citizens has remained steadfast 
since he was sworn into office 27 years ago.
  Representative Leitch has built a statewide reputation, establishing 
himself as a leader in matters pertaining to our health care system and 
especially mental health care in Illinois.
  A primary focus of his work has been advocacy for establishing a 
strong community-based mental health system in our state. He convened 
providers beginning 15 years ago to form the Central Illinois Coalition 
for Mental Health Recovery. Among its accomplishments are a Mental 
Health Court, a psychiatric residency at the University of Illinois-
College of Medicine in Peoria, and a Crisis Center designed to divert 
at-risk individuals to treatment rather than emergency rooms or jail. 
Most recently, he passed legislation enabling college students to allow 
their family to be notified in the event they are struggling with 
depression or suicidal thoughts and legislation which improves the 
inclusion of mental health services for older adults into primary care 
health settings. His outstanding advocacy on mental health and 
substance abuse issues has not gone unrecognized with accolades from 
the Heartland Health Services, a federally designated community health 
organization in Central Illinois, commending his life's work in the 
improvement of public health policy and his receipt of the statewide 
President's Award from the Community Behavioral Healthcare Association.
  Outside of his advocacy on issues regarding mental health recovery, 
Rep. Leitch is credited with passing the first state law in the nation 
requiring insurance coverage for mammograms, he passed the first state 
law in the nation allowing for the collection of cord blood stem cells, 
he secured funding for the expansion of the Illinois Central College 
campus in East Peoria and arranged the acquisition of the ICC North 
campus in Peoria after the closure of Zeller Mental Health Center. 
Illinois Central College named the David R. Leitch Career Center in 
honor of his dedication to the community college. Nationally, he has 
received the Dr. Nathan Davis Award as State Legislator of the Year in 
the U.S. by the American Medical Association as well as over 75 other 
legislator of the year (or equivalent) awards.
  Representative Leitch's steadfast work to improve the lives of 
citizens throughout our great state embodies the manner in which 
progress can be made for the greater good and citizens of Illinois. 
Rep. Leitch epitomizes the standard for which current--and future--
public servants should strive to emulate to help improve lives within 
our communities.
  It is with great honor that I have had the ability to call 
Representative Leitch not only a colleague but also a friend for many 
years. I want to congratulate him on his tireless advocacy for the 
mental health community and his dedicated service to the State of 
Illinois.

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