[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 179 (Monday, December 12, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1702-E1703]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING JOHN LESZCZYNSKI FOR 30 YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE TO THE 
                          SOUTH BEND COMMUNITY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JACKIE WALORSKI

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, December 12, 2016

  Mrs. WALORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the outstanding 
service that John Leszczynski has dedicated to the South Bend 
community. For 30 years and on behalf of four

[[Page E1703]]

mayors, John has served on the Transpo Board of Directors. He leaves 
the Board in January having led the agency through a period of great 
change and challenge.
  His public service began when he served as the Public Works Director 
for the City of South Bend. John established himself as a public 
servant with undeniable character and integrity. Then, after joining 
the engineering firm the Troyer Group, John spent 30 years as a 
volunteer serving on the Board of Directors of Transpo, the transit 
agency for South Bend and Mishawaka.
  Over his 30 years on the Transpo Board of Directors, John was 
Chairman for 10 years and led the planning committee for most of his 
time on the Board. When he leaves the Transpo Board in January, he will 
leave behind a legacy that will be with us for years to come. That 
legacy includes the development of the ``Lucky Reznik'' Operations 
Center. Transpo's headquarters was the first LEED transit facility to 
be awarded a platinum designation. This outstanding facility has 
received national recognition and serves our community well.
  John led Transpo's decision to replace its diesel-fueled bus fleet 
with compressed natural gas buses. As Transpo's fleet neared the end of 
its useful life, John initiated a review to determine the most cost-
effective and environmental fuel for the new buses. But, as is 
characteristic of John's leadership, he developed a plan to develop CNG 
as a resource not only for Transpo, but also for the City of South 
Bend. Today, the City and Transpo share a re-fueling facility.
  Under John's leadership, Transpo adopted a major bus route 
restructuring with the installation of new bus stops and the first bus 
shelters in Transpo's history. The new route system and shelters 
improve performance and offer better service and comfort to the 
thousands who depend on Transpo every day.
  Throughout his tenure, John offered quiet, modest leadership that 
brought people together and exemplified the ``South Bend'' way. At all 
times, he approached his duties understanding that the opportunity to 
serve is an honor and an obligation that must be conducted with the 
highest sense of duty.
  Mr. Speaker, I am grateful to John Leszczynski for his 
accomplishments and service to the community of South Bend. I am 
honored to ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing John for his 
tireless dedication and hard work as a member of the Transpo Board of 
Directors, and I want to wish him the very best in all of his future 
endeavors.

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