[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 179 (Monday, December 12, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1702]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO LEON BILLINGS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHRIS VAN HOLLEN

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, December 12, 2016

  Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a great 
man who has made a positive impact in the life of every American--Leon 
Billings.
  Today, the air we breathe and the water we drink is cleaner and 
healthier because of Leon Billings. He may not be known to many, but 
his work as an architect of key environmental laws has saved countless 
lives.
  Leon's instinct to stick up for the underdog was undoubtedly shaped 
during his years growing up as the son of two journalists in Big Sky 
country in Missoula, Montana. His parents were editors for a weekly 
newspaper, The People's Voice, which was owned by a farmer-labor 
cooperative that provided the counterpoint to the daily papers 
controlled by the Anaconda Mining Company. Above his father's column 
was the quotation: ``The hottest place in hell is reserved for those 
who, in a time of moral crisis, refuse to take a stand.''
  Leon lived by that creed; it was in his DNA. In my time serving with 
Leon, he was always a crusader for justice; always speaking out for the 
public interest against excessive corporate greed and unchecked power; 
standing up against bigotry and hate.
  I first got to know Leon Billings through Maryland politics, when we 
served together in the Maryland House of Delegates. By that time, Leon 
was already a legend in the national environmental community. As a top 
staffer to Senator Ed Muskie, he had helped craft the landmark Clean 
Air and Clean Water Acts. That legislation was forged through constant 
clashes with powerful special interests that wanted to put their 
profits over the public health. Leon, a brilliant strategist, is 
credited with working across party lines to erect the pillars of many 
of our key environmental laws.
  Leon Billings brought that same passion for taking on powerful 
special interests to the Maryland legislature, where he stood up for 
consumers in battles with the utility industry and fought for state 
environmental and consumer protections. I will fondly remember the many 
battles we waged together in the Maryland legislature.
  Leon's successes were due in large part to a special mixture of 
passionate advocacy and a no-nonsense manner that was sometimes 
unsettling to the uninitiated, but always deployed for a good cause. 
Those who knew Leon understood that his sometimes gruff exterior was 
primarily reserved for the big shots who tried to enrich themselves by 
stomping on others. At his core, Leon was a very gentle soul; a plain 
speaking, compassionate man with a heart as big as Montana.
  As we confront an incoming Administration that is looking to turn 
back the clock on Leon's work and erode the laws that have protected 
clean air, clean water, and public health for a generation, we must 
govern by Leon's example and stand up for the little guy against the 
special interests. We must be fierce defenders of the American public 
and its resources, and protect the right to clean air and healthy 
waterways.
  Leon Billings waged battles on behalf of every American. I will miss 
my friend Leon, but pledge to continue his good work on behalf of all 
Americans.

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