“TRIBUTE TO BOB LEEPER” published by Congressional Record on Jan. 28, 2019

“TRIBUTE TO BOB LEEPER” published by Congressional Record on Jan. 28, 2019

ORGANIZATIONS IN THIS STORY

Volume 165, No. 17 covering the 1st Session of the 116th Congress (2019 - 2020) was published by the Congressional Record.

The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.

“TRIBUTE TO BOB LEEPER” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Energy was published in the Senate section on pages S696-S697 on Jan. 28, 2019.

The Department oversees energy policies and is involved in how the US handles nuclear programs. Downsizing the Federal Government, a project aimed at lowering taxes and boosting federal efficiency, said the Department's misguided energy regulations have caused large losses to consumers for decades.

The publication is reproduced in full below:

TRIBUTE TO BOB LEEPER

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, for more than 30 years, the men and women of Paducah, KY, have prospered with the leadership of my friend, Bob Leeper, in city, State, and finally county government. There are few individuals more appreciated for their public service in western Kentucky. At the end of last year, Bob completed his term as McCracken County judge-executive, and I would like to take a moment to offer my gratitude and reflect on his many years of service.

There is a common expression identifying two types of people who are elected to office: show horses and work horses. The first kind thrives when driving home a point in front of the camera or in making a bold headline. On the other hand, a work horse will forgo acclaim in favor of accomplishment and reject praise for progress. Without a doubt, Bob has spent his career as a work horse. His achievements will leave a lasting impact on the area and our Commonwealth.

To say the least, Bob cared little for party labels. As a matter of fact, during his distinguished career, Bob hit the political

``trifecta'' of sorts, having been elected by his constituents as a registered Democrat, then a Republican, and lastly as an Independent.

In his first elected office as Paducah city commissioner, Bob also served as mayor pro tem and quickly earned his colleagues' respect. From there, Bob won a seat in the Kentucky State Senate. In Frankfort, Bob set himself apart as a constructive leader and a problemsolver. His reputation for handling complex issues with fairness garnered the appreciation of his fellow senators on both sides of the aisle.

Reelected five times, Bob served for 24 years in Kentucky's legislature including as the chair of the senate appropriations and revenue committee. His work from this important post displayed his integrity, skill, and his characteristic nature as a work horse.

Bob chose to leave the Senate in 2014, but that didn't end his career of public service. The same year, he was elected as the McCracken County judge-executive, the top job in county government. In that role, Bob had the opportunity to continue serving his community and making positive impacts on the lives of his neighbors. Among his proudest accomplishments, he includes a number of infrastructure improvements at the courthouse, jail, road department, and in the local parks. I enjoyed partnering with him on behalf of workers at Paducah's U.S. Department of Energy site.

For his decades of service in Kentucky, the current members of the Paducah City Commission wanted to express their gratitude to Bob at his retirement with a lasting testament to his work. The commission unanimously voted to name a footbridge in his honor in Paducah. When completed, the Bob Leeper Bridge will connect the city and county's trail systems, a fitting tribute to a man who spent his career working to benefit his community.

As he enters his retirement from public service, Bob plans to return to his first calling: treating patients at his chiropractic clinic. He also will spend more time volunteering, playing tennis, and relaxing with his beloved wife Gina. It is my privilege to join so many in McCracken County to thank Bob for his three decades of committed vision and leadership. I ask my Senate colleagues to help me congratulate Judge-Executive Bob Leeper on this milestone and to extend best wishes in his retirement.

Mr. President, the Paducah Sun recently published an editorial expressing appreciation to Bob. I ask unanimous consent that the article be printed in the Record.

There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in the Record, as follows:

Sincere Appreciation: Words of Thanks for Longtime Elected Leader Bob

Leeper

(By the Editorial Board)

The inspirational quote was painted on Bob Leeper's office wall at the McCracken County Courthouse in 2015, shortly after he took over as county judge-executive.

``Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate,'' the quote from author Marianne Williamson reads. ``Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.''

The motivational words stayed on that wall all four years, serving as daily affirmation.

``It's a reminder that we all have purpose and sometimes it's bigger than we even realized and we kind of have to accept that place that we are in life, and sometimes it's important you take a stand,'' Leeper said.

A case could be made Leeper's life purpose, or at least one of them, was serving his native Paducah and McCracken County, which he did in his quiet, transparent and dignified way for more than half his life across three offices.

Leeper, 60, served 31 years total--three as a Paducah city commissioner, 24 as a state senator, and a sole four-year term as judge executive.

He did not run for reelection, and turned over the county's top leadership post to current judge-exec Craig Clymer earlier this month.

Leeper, a chiropractor by trade, is now enjoying his

``political retirement,'' spending his time treating patients at his clinic, volunteering in the community, and enjoying one of his favorite hobbies--playing tennis.

He doubts very seriously his name will ever appear on another ballot, which is sure to be a healthy change for him but an unfortunate one for the local community.

``Today, I'd say no, I don't think that's going to happen,'' he said of someday running again for office. ``I learned from four years ago that you never say absolutely no, but I don't have any vision of anything right now.''

Now is the time for us, and we hope area residents, to thank Leeper for all his hard work on the public's behalf at the local and state levels. He served us honestly and admirably, often eschewing publicity or attention, and with his constituents' best interests in mind.

Frankly, leaders who put their communities first are rare these days, and Leeper's presence and influence will be greatly missed.

No one could have blamed Leeper if he's chosen to call it a career back in 2014, when he left the Kentucky General Assembly. However, he stepped up to lead McCracken County, returning much needed stability to an office that had seen turbulence during the previous administration.

``It was an opportunity for us to use some of the contacts I'd made in Frankfort and make things better for the community I grew up in,'' he said. ``It was difficult at times, but we made some positive changes.''

His proudest accomplishments as judge-executive, he told The Sun this week, were largely centered on infrastructure at the courthouse, jail, road department, and parks. They weren't glamorous, didn't beg for bold headlines or TV spots, but they needed doing.

Leeper's next words are true to his laid-back personality:

``Sometimes you don't get to cut ribbons and that's OK with me,'' he said. ``I was proud this court took that same attitude and we were able to do things that needed to be done, even the kind that you don't cut ribbons on.''

``We did it all without raising taxes and I think the county is in a better place from Judge Clymer and the new court.''

Join us in congratulating Leeper on a distinguished successful career. Through his leadership, we have a great example for future leaders to emulate.

____________________

SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 165, No. 17

ORGANIZATIONS IN THIS STORY

More News