[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 25 (Wednesday, February 8, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E298]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


        SALUTING ELEANOR J. WILLIAMS DURING BLACK HISTORY MONTH

                                 ______


                           HON. LOUIS STOKES

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 8, 1995
  Mr. STOKES. Mr. Speaker, each February our Nation celebrates Black 
History Month. This occasion provides us the opportunity to herald the 
accomplishments of African-Americans in United States history, and to 
honor those still setting the pace by which history is both created and 
measured. Today I rise to recognize one such individual, Eleanor J. 
Williams, who was selected to be the first black woman manager of an 
enroute air traffic control center. Ms. Williams oversees the Cleveland 
Air Route Traffic Control Center in Oberlin, OH, the Nation's second 
busiest such facility.
  Eleanor Williams began her diligent career with the Federal Aviation 
Administration in 1965 as a clerk stenographer in Anchorage, AK. Those 
who know her never had any question of how far she would go in her 
career. Her determination, and sense of self and spirit have marked her 
personality, as well as her resume. In 1985, she received the 
Secretary's Award for Excellence from the Department of Transportation. 
In 1990, she was a Women in Management Delegate to the Soviet Union 
with People to People International. And in 1991 she was the recipient 
of the C. Alfred Anderson Award from the National Black Coalition of 
Federal Aviation Employees. Eleanor Williams was listed in Who's Who of 
American Women 4 years in a row.
  After her start with the FAA in Alaska, in 1971 she became the first 
black woman to certify as an air traffic control specialist. By 1979 
she had become an area supervisor in San Juan, Puerto Rico before her 
promotion to staff specialist for the FAA in Atlanta. By the mid-1980's 
she moved into a staff specialist role at FAA headquarters in 
Washington, DC before yet another promotion to area manager of the 
Kansas City region Air Traffic Division Office. Two more promotions 
followed in Kansas City before she received her historic post in 
Cleveland last year.
  Mr. Speaker, the awards from Ms. Williams' professional life cannot 
begin to match the rewards of her personal life. Eleanor, the mother of 
seven and a foster child, is not only a role model to colleagues, but 
also the employees she supervises, and to the union members she has 
led. Her commitment to the Air Traffic Control Association, the Gamma 
Phi Delta sorority, Business and Professional Women, the Second Baptist 
Church, and the NAACP has left these and many other organizations the 
richer for her involvement. Eleanor's passion for excellence and 
ability to reach any goal inspires those around her to strive for the 
stars. Her powerful spirit is fueled by her faith in God, which enables 
her to tackle any task before her and has navigated her into uncharted 
waters.
  Mr. Speaker, Eleanor Williams is a perfect example of the opportunity 
to be won by hard work and ardor in America. Eleanor is someone of whom 
the African-American community, women, and indeed Americans everywhere 
should be proud. Let me share with you a portion of a stunning poem 
written by an eighth-grader named Shondel, which was composed in honor 
of Ms. Eleanor Williams and her pioneering spirit.

     You've accomplished many things all
     because in life you've dared and won yourself wings.
     Long ago your wings took flight, never
     in darkness being lost, for you saw the
     path with inner-sight
     Your faith and freedom forever shall live, for
     in your life you have never believed in Never.

  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me during Black History 
Month in saluting Eleanor J. Williams, an outstanding individual with a 
spirit that joins her with outstanding African-Americans of the past 
and those who will follow.


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