[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 90 (Wednesday, May 24, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E713]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    CONGRATULATING LEON J. ZIMMERMAN

                                  _____
                                 

                       HON. BONNIE WATSON COLEMAN

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 24, 2017

  Mrs. WATSON COLEMAN. Mr. Speaker, it is our honor to congratulate 
Leon J. Zimmerman of Trenton, New Jersey on his retirement after a 50 
year career spanning governmental affairs, public relations, 
journalism, and communications.
  Operating his own consulting firm for 44 years, Mr. Zimmerman was a 
highly regarded veteran of the New Jersey state lobbying corps. During 
his career, he represented several clients, including government 
agencies, businesses, private corporations, and trade associations. He 
also represented clients from industries like insurance, harness 
racing, and security alarms. One of these was the Professional 
Insurance Agents of New Jersey (PlANJ), which he represented for 43 
years. PlANJ will be honoring Mr. Zimmerman at their convention in June 
2017. Moreover, prior to starting his own public relations firm, Mr. 
Zimmerman was a national award-winning journalist for more than 12 
years with the Bergen Record.
  Throughout his career, Mr. Zimmerman held several positions and 
received numerous accolades. From his service to the insurance 
industry, he was recognized with the PlANJ Legislative Award in 1990 
and received PlANJ's Distinguished Insurance Service Award in 1998--the 
first time this award was presented to an individual who was not an 
insurance industry official. During his work on harness racing, he 
served as President of the North American Harness Publicists 
Association, President and Chairman of the U.S. Harness Writers 
Association, and the founding President of the Association's New Jersey 
Chapter. He also received the Harness Horsemen International Media 
Award in 2006, North American Harness Publicists Golden Pen Award in 
2000, and the U.S. Harness Writers Member of the Year Award in 1998 and 
2011. In addition, for his work in the security alarm industry, Mr. 
Zimmerman was recognized with the NJ Burglar and Fire Alarm Association 
President's Award in 1992 and 2004, and he was honored with the 
National Burglar and Fire Alarm Association Executive Director of the 
Year Award in 1992.
  Mr. Zimmerman was also involved in other professional and civic 
activities. For example, he served as President of the New Jersey 
Legislative Correspondents Club, and he was a speaker for courses and 
seminars in high schools and universities. In addition, Mr. Zimmerman 
was an advocate for people with intellectual and developmental 
disabilities. He served on the Governor's Council on the Prevention of 
Developmental Disabilities, and he was a member of the Board of 
Trustees of Bancroft, a leading nonprofit, and of the Association for 
the Advancement of the Mentally Handicapped, Mercer County Chapter. He 
was also Executive Committee member and Chairman of Committees on 
Legislation and Advocacy for the New Jersey State Developmental 
Disabilities Council.
  Mr. Speaker, we sincerely hope that our colleagues will join us in 
congratulating Mr. Zimmerman on his retirement after his illustrious 
career and thanking him for his service to the public and his community 
in New Jersey.

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