Political Quotes

“if you want to understand the strength of a community, look at the men and women who quietly built it, not for recognition or reward, but because it was the right thing to do. Today, I rise to honor one of those men, Joe Leeper of Fernandina Beach, Florida, who passed away at 97 after an amazing life of service. Born in 1928, Joe was part of a generation of Americans who answered the call to serve, worked hard, raised strong families, and built communities. In 1946, he enlisted in the United States Navy, serving honorably during the Korean war, even doing an assignment in Florida. That is where, Mr. Speaker, he met the love of his life, Alberta Jordan. They were blessed with four children, Brenda, Bill, Durwin, and Danny, building a family legacy that spans generations and continues to grow. After the Navy, Joe drove a Greyhound bus but sought to become a police officer in Fernandina Beach. The story goes, he approached the chief with: "Chief, how do I become a police officer?" The chief asked him: "Can you start today?" and he did. Joe's greatest legacy, Mr. Speaker, and his greatest impact is on the kids in Nassau County, Florida.”