[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 9576-9577]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       A TRIBUTE TO LEROY SAWYER

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 20, 2012

  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute and honor Mr. 
Leroy Sawyer, a man who has spent much of his life working for the 
public good.
  Mr. Leroy Sawyer was born to William and Georgina Sawyer. He 
graduated from Stuyvesant High School with a Science Major, a Math 
Minor Diploma, and lettering in baseball.
  Mr. Sawyer rose quickly as a member of the New York City Police 
Department. Though not graduating from the Academy he was placed in 
``plainclothes'' and promoted to Detective after his third year on the 
job. He was only twenty-four years old.
  Mr. Sawyer embodies the term ambitious. He has owned three taverns in 
Brooklyn, and managed five taverns in Manhattan including the 
``Spotlight Bar'' next to the Apollo Theater. He's owned four 
laundromats, liquor stores, an office supply store, and scores of 
houses in Brooklyn.
  Mr. Sawyer is also very active in the community; he came out of 
retirement, and presently serves as my community liaison for the 10th 
Congressional District. He has been a member of the Board of Managers 
at the North Brooklyn YMCA for over twenty years, serving as chairman 
for ten of those. In addition, he is a Founding member of the Board of 
Directors of the Boys and Girls Club of Eufaula, Alabama and a lifetime 
member of the NAACP.
  Mr. Sawyer is married to Rosa Beatrice and together they have two 
children, Lisa and William, and four grandchildren, Tyra, Tammara, 
Leasia and Karima.
  Mr. Sawyer believes that we all have an opportunity to succeed in 
life. He believes we should not be afraid to follow our dreams. He 
certainly followed his own advice and is now

[[Page 9577]]

enjoying the sweet fruits of his labor. Mr. Sawyer and his wife 
currently split their time between homes in Brooklyn, New York and 
Eufaula, Alabama.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize Leroy Sawyer for his unceasing 
ambition in life, as well as his commitment and leadership in his 
community.

                          ____________________