[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 79 (Monday, May 8, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E617]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                      IN HONOR OF PATRICK LEONARD

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. ROD BLUM

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 8, 2017

  Mr. BLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Patrick Leonard of 
Dubuque, Iowa for his year of service as President of the Iowa Funeral 
Directors Association.
  A fellow graduate of my own alma mater, Loras College, Mr. Leonard 
has successfully owned and operated his funeral home in Dubuque since 
1990. His year as President of the Association has been marked by 
faithful leadership of the IFDA Board of Governors as they pursued 
IFDA's mission of promoting and supporting funeral service excellence.
  Since coming to Congress in 2014, I have seen firsthand the 
dedication, enthusiasm, and passion that Mr. Leonard brings to his 
profession every day. Last summer, we were honored to have Mr. Leonard 
represent the IFDA at my congressional office's Dubuque Senior Wellness 
Fair. He understands that leadership is about stepping up and getting 
involved personally in service of the mission.
  Mr. Leonard also finds time to give back to his community. Just last 
year, after months of preparation and coordination with the U.S. Navy, 
Mr. Leonard oversaw the return of a WWII veteran's remains back to 
Iowa. Mr. Leonard expressed to me how much of an honor this was for 
him, and how this project signified the importance of funeral services 
to those who pass, and their loved ones.
  On behalf of the nearly 700 licensed funeral directors in Iowa, I 
want to again thank and recognize Mr. Leonard for his exemplary service 
as President of the IFDA.

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