[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 18]
[House]
[Pages 24648-24649]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  RECOGNIZING THE LOSS OF TWO FRIENDS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Cummings). Under a previous order of the 
House, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Lampson) is recognized for 5 
minutes.
  Mr. LAMPSON. It is a pleasure to stand before this auspicious body 
yet again and express my farewell and make notice of the kind words so 
many of my colleagues made about me and my service. It has been a 
privilege to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives.
  On this night, I would recognize the death of two friends of mine who 
provided significant service to the people of southeast Texas.
  The electrical workers contracting industry lost a tremendous 
ambassador and friend when Charles M. ``Charlie'' LeBlanc died suddenly 
on Thursday, August 21. Charlie served admirably as the long-time 
governor of the southeast chapter of NECA. He formed relationships at 
the local, State, and national level that were very instrumental in 
benefiting not only NECA, but all of our associated industry partners 
and friends.
  Charlie LeBlanc's career in the electrical industry began in 1970 
when he became indentured as an apprentice in Beaumont, Texas. Charlie 
accepted employment around this time with Gold Crest Electric Company 
and formed a

[[Page 24649]]

friendship with a co-worker, Wayne Brockett, that would transform into 
a highly successful business partnership.
  The two hardworking, industrious men formed Crown Electric Company in 
1980. Charlie's natural charm and technical acumen was vital in the 
continuing success of Crown Electric, Incorporated, and made him a 
favorite with customers, general contractors, engineers, and 
architects. Charlie's entrepreneurial spirit resulted in a company that 
has contributed to his community and the electrical contracting 
industry at large for over 20 years.
  Crown Electric, Inc., became a NECA member in 1987, and Charlie 
LeBlanc's service to the southeast Texas chapter was immediate, 
continuous, and resounding. Charlie assumed a position in 1988 on the 
Chapter Codes and Standards Committee, where he applied his technical 
expertise for the next three years, and in 1990, Charlie was elected to 
the chapter board of directors, where he continued to serve until his 
passing. Charlie served with distinction as chapter treasurer from 1992 
to 2000. And he served concurrently on the Chapter Manpower 
Development, Membership, and Finance Committees. Charlie sacrificed a 
great amount of his own personal time in his devotion to chapter 
affairs.

                              {time}  2130

  In addition to service on the board of directors and committees, 
Charlie served as division chairman of the Coastal Sabine Division for 
4 years and has served on every negotiating committee from 1996 to 
present. Charlie served as trustee on the Greater Texas IBEW-NECA 
Annuity Fund from 1999 to 2004; trustee on the Southeast Texas Benefit 
Trust from 1998 to 2008; the Coastal Sabine Labor Management 
Cooperative Committee from 2001 to 2008; and Charlie served 
continuously on the Local Union 479 JATC from 1988 to 2008. Charlie's 
compassionate but firm leadership, especially on the Apprenticeship 
Committee, has had a profound and lasting effect on generations of 
apprentices and has left an indelibly positive mark on our industry's 
most important resource.
  His service at the national level began with his appointment to the 
District V Apprenticeship Committee in 1997. Charlie understood the 
importance of political action and was selected to serve on the NECA 
National Governmental Affairs Committee from 2000 to 2001 and again in 
2008. Most important to the chapter, Charlie assumed the role of 
Governor in 2001 and was an extremely effective and well-liked NECA 
ambassador at all levels of our industry. Charlie applied his boundless 
energy, infinite patience, and genuine caring and keen instincts to the 
service of our industry.
  Charlie LeBlanc managed to devote himself to civic service in the 
City of Beaumont; service that is important not only to the 
beneficiaries themselves but to the positive perception of our 
customers, community leaders, and the IBEW. Charlie served with 
distinction in the past on the City of Beaumont Electrical Board and 
the City of Beaumont Board of Electrical Inspectors. Charlie served on 
the board of directors of the Southeast Texas AGC. He provided service 
to the Young Men's Business League and served on the board of directors 
of Boy's Haven, an outreach program designed to benefit disenfranchised 
youth.
  Charlie LeBlanc will be terribly missed by all who were privileged to 
know him.
  And Charles ``Chuck'' Wilson, who was the tax assessor/collector for 
16 years of Galveston County, Texas, Chuck died the night before last. 
He was a very dear friend, one who had many friends across southeast 
Texas and in the profession of property tax assessors and collectors 
across the State of Texas, and he too will be missed. His family loved 
him and he was known and loved by many.
  It has been a privilege to stand before the body of the United States 
House of Representatives for 10 years. I am wishing my friends and 
colleagues a farewell and Godspeed on the business of the United States 
of America. I wish them well.

                          ____________________