Louisiana Mississippi Locksmith Associa- tion and the Texas Locksmith Association in 1970. She was recognized as an honorary life member of the Greater Dallas Locksmith Association and presented with the Boston Hall of Fame award by Boston Lock and Safe Company, America’s oldest lock shop, in 1974. She was also an honorary member of the The author found a caricature sketch of the notable Mrs. Rognon. protected her child from the kitchen with the ferocity of a mother lion protecting her cubs. Her twinkling eyes, ready smile, and carefully groomed appearance will long be remembered by all who were privileged to spend time with her at the many trade shows, conventions and regional junctions she and her husband attended right to the end.” Recognized Throughout the Industry Lee received many awards and honors throughout the years. She’s the only person to be awarded the Philadelphia Award twice, in 1956 and 1975. In 1960, Lee was given a silver two-handled mug that said “The Best Damn Secretary In The World” from the ALOA board of directors. In 1961, she was awarded a plaque by MLANJ for her “sincere efforts” at their 30th Anniversary Banquet. In 1964, Lee was given the National Locksmith Award “in appreciation of outstanding efforts in behalf of locksmiths everywhere” by The National Locksmith magazine. Lee was recognized as an honorary mem- ber of the North Jersey Master Locksmith Association in October 1964 and as an hon- orary member of the MLANJ in April 1968. In November 1969, she was recognized as an honorary life member of the Greater Dallas Independent Locksmith Association for her outstanding cooperation and support. She became an honorary member of both the 46 KEYNOTES JANUARY 2014 California Locksmith Association, Penn- Ohio Locksmith Association, Minnesota Locksmith Guild, Minneapolis Locksmith Association and Florida West Coast Lock- smiths Association. Lee also received cer- tificates of appreciation from the Louisi- “She was a strong lady, iron willed, but tempered with a heavy dose of Southern gentility.” ana Mississippi Locksmith Association and Texas Locksmiths Association. On March 5, 1983, Lee was recognized by Locksmith Ledger for her “unparalleled con- tribution and her unceasing efforts on the behalf of the advancement of locksmiths.” The same day she was awarded by the Na- tional Locksmith Suppliers Association for her 40 years of service to locksmithing, as well as an award by the Locksmith Associa- tion of Washington D.C. “in appreciation for her years of service and outstanding dedication.” On this day ALOA President Louis LaGreco gave her a special citation for her “untiring efforts on behalf of the security industry.” In 1983, at the TAOL 10th Anniversary, she was given an award of appreciation for her valued support. She was awarded the Ernest Johannesen Award by the Maryland Locksmith Association in 1984 for “unselfish and tireless efforts toward the advancement of the locksmith industry.” In 1987, GPLA presented Robert and Lee Rognon with The Sweetheart Award. Robert passed away at the end of 1987 and Lee passed in the spring of 1988. Both of them, especially Lee, were active with locksmiths associations right up to the end. Following in her Footsteps As you can see, being honored this named award from GPLA led me to do a lot of re- search on Mrs. Rognon. I’m still reading more about her and I’m totally impressed. I’m also humbled that GPLA felt I deserved to have my name associated with someone so dedicated to ALOA and our industry. I could never in a million years hope to have the dedication she showed, but I sure can try to channel her dedication to the industry by continuing to love the industry, fighting to make sure the association is always getting better for the members and keep on doing what I’ve already been doing, only better. I’m not going to slack off now simply because I’ve been recognized as having some of the same qualities or accomplish- ments as Mrs. Rognon (however minuscule in nature they may be compared to her accomplishments). In closing, I’d like to thank the Rognon Committee for thinking that I’m worthy of this award. And thank you, AIL members, for giving me the desire to want to build an association by following the lead of Lee Rognon’s immense footsteps. hn Truempy, ICML, CRL, MIL, IFDI, is employed he University of ennsylvania, where he’s en a locksmith for more n 21 years. Prior to that e spent a few years as a ommercial locksmith and rked for the State of New rsey at Trenton State ychiatric Hospital. As the A SPAI division’s ALOA AIL), he has over 15 years ent experience. WWW.ALOA.ORG
