A backlighting display assembly for an LCD that utilizes a plurality of LEDs that are in spaced relation adjacent to the LCD such that the LEDs do not directly light the LCD and instead a reflective material such as a potted material is placed in parallel spaced alignment from the LCD and LEDs such that light is reflected off of the reflected surface to illuminate the interior LCD and open target areas of the circuit board of the assembly thus providing proper lighting for the LCD, transparent and semi-transparent areas of the graphic overlay of the control panel.