[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 189 (Friday, November 30, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1588]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF LELAND EMERSON BOREN OF UPLAND, INDIANA

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                          HON. SUSAN W. BROOKS

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, November 30, 2018

  Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life 
and legacy of Leland Emerson Boren, an Upland businessman, farmer, and 
philanthropist who devoted his life to serving and helping others. 
Leland was known for his drive and hard work which he displayed 
throughout his tremendous career. The people of Indiana's Fifth 
Congressional District are forever grateful for Leland's significant 
contributions to the Town of Upland, the Grant County community, and 
the state of Indiana.
  A life-long Hoosier, Leland was born in Owensville, Indiana, in 1923. 
He attended Anderson High School where he graduated in 1941. While 
attending Anderson High School, he began working as a heat treat 
specialist with the Nicholson File Company. Leland continued his work 
there after graduation until1945, when he accepted a position at 
Upland's Pierce Governor Company Incorporated as a material control 
clerk. Dedicated to the company's success, he quickly worked his way up 
the ranks. Leland was named general manager in 1956 and became 
president of the company just two years later in 1958. Shortly 
thereafter in 1969, Leland became president and director of Avis 
Industrial Corporation, a global manufacturing company, only a few 
years prior to the eventual merger of the two companies in 1971. 
Following the merger, Leland was elected chairman, president, and chief 
executive officer of Avis Industrial Corporation in 1983, eventually 
moving the company headquarters to its current location in Upland, 
Indiana. Known as a ``ceaseless hard worker and a professional of 
integrity,'' Leland was a self-made man responsible for the tremendous 
growth of his business, which over the years has employed thousands of 
people. Avis is now a holding company with more than a dozen 
manufacturing facilities in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. A 
tenacious leader, Leland was appointed president of PHD, Inc. in 2010. 
Leland, who earned the reputation as an extraordinary boss, was 
dedicated to prioritizing the well-being of his employees till the very 
end.
  Leland's commitment to business was equaled by his support for 
various local charities and educational institutions. During his 
lifetime, Leland made numerous contributions to support students, 
faculty, and administration efforts at Huntington University and Taylor 
University, often requesting to remain anonymous.
  A true testament to his outstanding career and selfless 
contributions, Leland was honored with numerous awards and accolades. 
He received honorary doctorate degrees from Taylor University, Anderson 
University, Indiana Wesleyan University, and Ball State University, as 
well as an honorary degree from Ivy Tech Community College. Notably, he 
was the recipient of four Sagamores of the Wabash, the highest honor 
the governor of Indiana can bestow upon a citizen, from Governors Evan 
Bayh, Frank O'Bannon, Joe E. Kernan and Eric Holcomb. His business 
endeavors also led him to sit on as many as 20 company boards.
  In his personal life, Leland was known as a generous, loving, and 
faithful man. He loved most in this world his dear wife, LaRita. In 
fact, those who knew him best would say he thought his biggest and 
proudest accomplishment was marrying LaRita. The two met in Wichita, 
Kansas, where she was working as a stewardess for Trans World Airlines. 
They married soon after and she was his partner in everything. While 
driving through the Town of Upland, you may recognize Leland's property 
by the numerous bright pink barns on the property. LaRita missed seeing 
the beautiful sunsets in Oklahoma where the sunrays would reflect red 
hues from the dirt and project a beautiful bright pink glow onto their 
barns. Knowing of LaRita's love for Oklahoma sunsets, Leland had their 
barns and other building exteriors painted pink as a constant reminder 
of her home state.
  Leland will be forever missed by his family, friends, colleagues, and 
the entire Upland community. On behalf of Indiana's Fifth Congressional 
District, I extend my deepest condolences to Leland's sons, Lael and 
Landrew Boren, daughter, Lori Meyers, their families, sister, Lucille 
Ashby, and his many grandchildren, nephews, extended family and friends 
who mourn his loss.

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