[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 171 (Thursday, September 30, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1053]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     HONORING THE MEMORY OF COUNCIL MEMBER EMERITUS LEONARD PAULITZ

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. NORMA J. TORRES

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 30, 2021

  Mrs. TORRES of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor my 
constituent from the City of Montclair, Council Member Emeritus Leonard 
Paul Paulitz. It is with more than a heavy heart that I share that 
Leonard Paul Paulitz passed away on August 24, 2021.
  Leonard committed his life to serving his community. Leonard served 
his country in the U.S. Army after getting drafted for World War II 
during his senior year of high school. Shortly after earning his degree 
in accounting at Gannon College in Erie, Pennsylvania on the GI Bill, 
Leonard met Constance Marie Howard and married her in August, 1954 in 
Ohio. Leonard, his wife, and his children shortly after moved to 
Montclair, California in 1960 and into the home where he lived the rest 
of his life.
  Leonard took an active role in local policymaking soon after moving 
to Montclair. He served on the Planning Commission starting in 1965, 
and then was elected in 1978 to sit on the City Council. Leonard served 
humbly for nearly thirty-seven years on the Montclair Council Chamber 
and is the longest-serving council person in San Bernardino County, 
from March 1978 to December 2014. During this time, he also served as 
Mayor Pro Tem for eight years.
  Leonard's leadership and vision resulted in countless projects that 
bettered Montclair and the region, including the expansion of Montclair 
Plaza before it became Montclair Place, Holt Boulevard, the Montclair 
Police facility, the Montclair Youth Center, and the Montclair Senior 
Center. He also served for 12 years on the South Coast Air Quality 
Management District Governing Board, as Montclair's Representative to 
Omnitrans, the San Bernardino Association of Governments, and the 
League of California Cities, among many others.
  Leonard's passion for local government and the betterment of his 
Montclair community is just one reason we will miss Leonard. Along with 
being dedicated to his public servant role, his love for gardening and 
tending to his citrus trees led Leonard to start the Montclair 
Community Garden and Orchard.
  Montclair would not be the beautiful community it is now if it wasn't 
for the 49 years of wise leadership Leonard provided. His service and 
contributions to Montclair will serve as a model for many generations 
and will be a good example for future leaders.
  Today, Madam Speaker, for his decades of commitment to our community 
and country in so many ways, we honor Leonard Paul Paulitz and thank 
him for the legacy he left in the City of Montclair and the greater 
Inland Empire community. May he rest in Peace.

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