[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 16234]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



       WILLIAM E. LEONARD TRIBUTE--INTERCHANGE NAMED IN HIS HONOR

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEN CALVERT

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, August 2, 2001

  Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a most 
exceptional California Inland Empire community leader, friend and great 
American--William E. Leonard--who will be recognized for his work in 
transportation with the upcoming dedication and grand-opening of the 
interchange between the 210 freeway and the 15 interstate highway.
  Calvin Coolidge, America's 13th President, once said, ``No person was 
ever honored for what he received; honor has been the reward for what 
he gave.'' And Bill Leonard has given much during his years of public 
and community service.
  A member of the California State Highway Commission from 1973 to 1977 
and the California Transportation Commission from 1985 to 1993, Bill 
Leonard has made a great impact in a short amount of time upon Inland 
Empire and Californian transportation needs. I can think of no other 
more fitting tribute to Bill Leonard than the dedication of this vital 
interchange given his many years of service in the field of 
transportation infrastructure.
  Bill Leonard began his professional career when he joined his father 
at Leonard Realty & Building Company in San Bernardino, after leaving 
the United States Army (1943-1946) where he rose to the rank of First 
Lieutenant. He earned a bachelors degree in Business Administration 
from the University of California at Berkeley in 1944. From the family 
business, Bill Leonard developed, owned and operated a variety of real 
estate, management and development services throughout the Inland 
Empire. And from 1956 to 1958 he served as a member of California's 
Athletic Commission.
  In the community, Bill Leonard has been equally involved and giving. 
He is a member and past director of the San Bernardino Area Chamber of 
Commerce, member and past president of the San Bernardino Host Lions, 
founding member and president of Inland Action, Inc. and a member of 
the National Orange Show Board of Directors, which he has served as 
President and Chairman of the Board of Governors. Additionally he has 
served on the San Bernardino Valley Board of Realtors, San Bernardino 
College Foundation, St. Bernadine's Hospital Foundation and University 
of California at Riverside Foundation.
  Bill Leonard has been honored numerous times over the years for his 
outstanding public and community service, including the Boy Scouts of 
America Inland Empire Council's Distinguished Citizens Award, Valley 
Group's Award for Excellence in Infrastructure, and more. The 
Interchange Dedication is a proud addition to this list.
  Mr. Speaker, Bill Leonard has dedicated his life to public and 
community service. An American whose talents have bettered the lives of 
those living in the Inland Empire and California. It is an honor for me 
today to join in his recognition--the new Interchange bears a proud and 
distinguished name.

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