[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 87 (Tuesday, May 23, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E479-E480]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  CELEBRATING THE OUTSTANDING LIFE OF UNITED STATES AIR FORCE VETERAN 
                           LEON ROBERT FULTON

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. TROY A. CARTER

                              of louisiana

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 23, 2023

  Mr. CARTER of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize New 
Orleans' beloved native son, a true mentor, friend and confidant to 
many. Leon Robert Fulton was born on September 27, 1932, in New 
Orleans, Louisiana and passed away on Saturday, April 29, 2023, in 
Fairburn, Georgia. He was the seventh of eight children born to Clinton 
and Martha Pugh Fulton. He accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior at an 
early age when he was baptized by the late Rev. Felton Raphael, pastor 
of Second Bethlehem Baptist Church in New Orleans, Louisiana. He later 
converted to Catholicism, serving as a devout member of St. Gabriel the 
Archangel Catholic Church,

[[Page E480]]

and later to St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church in New Orleans. Leon 
even served as an Usher in both parishes. Leon was educated in the 
Orleans Parish School System, graduating from Booker T. Washington High 
School. He enlisted in the United States Air Force during the Korean 
War, and served at Fairchild Air Force Base in Spokane, Washington. 
Within four years he achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant. After serving 
his country, Leon enrolled at Dillard University where he received a 
Bachelor of Arts degree in Education. He completed his graduate studies 
at the University of New Orleans, earning a master's degree in 
administrative supervision. In 1957, he married Orlean Marie Joseph, 
and from this union two children were born. Having excelled as a 
teacher, Leon was promoted to Assistant Principal within the Orleans 
Parish School System. He eventually retired there after 20 years of 
service. Leon had an entrepreneurial spirit that led him, along with 
his friend and partner, Stephen S. Johnson III, to establish Fulton and 
Johnson Insurance Agency. In 1985, Fulton, Johnson, Newman and Pittman 
Insurance Agency was formed and became one of the premiere African 
American agencies in the City of New Orleans. Additionally, he was the 
president of First Capital & Mortgage Company; partner, Woodlawn 
Estates; president of Gulf South Travels; and former Board member of 
Entergy New Orleans, Inc.; president, Southwest Protection Services, 
Inc.; founder/owner, New Orleans Thunder Football Team; Regional 
Football League; co-founder Republic National Bank and Bayou Federal 
Savings and Loan. Leon was a leader who always aimed to serve his 
community through numerous professional and civic affiliations 
including member, Independent Insurance Agents Association; board 
member, Urban League of New Orleans; New Orleans Mayor's Foundation of 
Education, Inc.; Louisiana Commerce and Industry Board; Louisiana 
Business Task Force for Education; Council of International Visitors; 
Louisiana Nature and Science Center; Greater New Orleans Tourist and 
Convention Commission; National Job Training Partnership; New Orleans 
Police Foundation; National Council of Christians and Jews; Louisiana 
Health Care Authority; National African American Insurance Association; 
past chairman; New Orleans World Trade Center; Friends of Louisiana 
Private Colleges and University; New Orleans Private Industry Council; 
Dillard University Century Club; Dillard University Alumni Association; 
former Louisiana State Commissioner-New Orleans Convention Center; 
former Board of Governors; and Energy City Club of New Orleans. 
Socially, he was a member of the Townsmen Club, Original Illinois Club, 
Alpha Alpha Boule, Alpha Phi Alpha, Sigma Lambda Chapter, and The Studs 
Social Club. Leon was a hard-working, honorable man who was known for 
his business acumen and ``joie de la vie.'' He loved entertaining and 
truly enjoyed the camaraderie of family and friends. He left an 
indelible impression on all who knew him and will be sorely missed by 
countless friends, family, and colleagues. Following his wife's death, 
he later married Alma Willis Dunn in 1991 and embraced her children as 
his own. Leon Robert Fulton was preceded in death by his parents, 
Clinton and Martha Fulton; first wife, Orlean; and his siblings, 
Ishmael, Seenea, Eunice, Augustus, Alexander, and Rev. Warner Fulton. 
He is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Alma Willis Fulton; his 
children and stepchildren, Elise Fulton Smith, Bryan Fulton 
(Conchetta), Elisa Dunn, and Grady Damon Dunn (Debbie); grandchildren 
Noel Smith, Kyle Fulton, Priya Dunn and Gianna Dunn; sisters-in-law 
Carline Fulton, Gladys Fulton, Gwen H. Willis, Wanda Willis, Tracy 
Willis and Charlotte Willis; brothers-in-law George Willis, J. Mack 
Willis, and Dr. Floyd Willis, as well as a host of nieces, nephews, 
cousins and extended family and friends.
  I am so blessed and grateful to have known such a phenomenal man, a 
real Trailblazer, and a faithful Leader, my true friend, Leon Robert 
Fulton.

                          ____________________