[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 152 (Thursday, November 12, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2329]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         TRIBUTE TO DR. AND MRS. JOHN COLLINS WRIGHT OF ALABAMA

                                 ______
                                 

                    HON. ROBERT E. (BUD) CRAMER, JR.

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 12, 1998

  Mr. CRAMER. Mr. Speaker, I would like to pay tribute to Dr. and Mrs. 
John Collins Wright of Huntsville for their longtime service and 
dedication to our community at large. Since making the Huntsville 
community their home in 1978, John and Mac Wright have been a major 
force in the growth and success of our area, especially in the quality 
of education.
  At the age of 17, John Wright enlisted in the Navy Air corps, a 
decision that led him to an amazing career in science, education, and 
community development. Following the end of World War II, he earned 
bachelor's degrees in chemistry and mathematics from West Virginia 
Wesleyan College and a doctorate in chemistry from the University of 
Illinois. He later conducted postdoctoral studies at the University of 
Michigan and the University of London. Mr. Wright's professional career 
has included appointments at a long and impressive list of prestigious 
institutions, including research chemist with Hercules Research Center 
in Delaware, professor and chairman of the department of chemistry at 
his alma mater West Virginia Wesleyan College, assistant program 
director for undergraduate education at the National Science 
Foundation, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and professor of 
chemistry at both Northern Arizona University and West Virginia 
University, and vice chancellor and director of academic affairs for 
the West Virginia Board of Regents.
  During the 10 years Dr. Wright served as president of UAH, the 
university grew from 400 to 6000 students, more than tripled its 
funding and gained national recognition as a leading school of science 
and technology. Major research thrusts were introduced in optics, 
microgravity, robotics, and space plasma research. The ``Space 
Initiative'' was adopted and groundwork was laid for UAH to become one 
of the first space grant universities in the United States. During Mr. 
Wright's last year of administration, UAH was ranked the South's top 
science and technology school by U.S. News and World Report. Upon his 
decision to leave the presidency in 1988, he was appointed a university 
professor in chemistry at UAH.
  Dr. Wright's international experience includes serving on higher 
education delegations to China, Israel, Italy, India, Korea and the 
Republic of China, as well as economic development delegations to 
China, Korea, Japan, England, France and Germany. In the Huntsville 
community, he has played important leadership roles in organizations 
such as the Huntsville-Cummings Research Park Board, Randolph School, 
the U.S. Army Science Board, the Huntsville-Madison County Chamber of 
Commerce, the Huntsville Rotary Club, and the American Chemical 
Society. His many honors include the Distinguished Service Medal from 
NASA, a Service Award from the Army Missile Command, and the Science 
and Technology Award from the Huntsville-Madison County Chamber of 
Commerce.
  For Margaret Ann Cyphers Wright, enhancing the quality of education 
has been the major force of her life since she earned her bachelor's 
degree in religious education at West Virginia Wesleyan College. She 
began work on her graduate degree at the University of Illinois and 
completed her master's degree in counseling and guidance at the West 
Virginia College of Graduate Studies. Her professional career has 
included positions as director of Christian education with churches in 
several states, a kindergarten teacher and a counselor for runaways. In 
our community she has served in leadership positions with the First 
United Methodist Church, Constitution Park Village, Volunteer Center, 
Huntsville Museum of Art, Madison County Mental Health Association, 
Huntsville Rotaryann, and the Ruth Hindman Foundation. Her involvement 
with UAH has included active participation in the University Women's 
Club and sponsorship of the Lancers, the UAH student ambassadors. She 
has been honored with the Distinguished Medal of Honor from the Mental 
Health Center, the Outstanding Service Award from the University 
Women's Club, named Volunteer of the Year by the Volunteer Center, 
presented a certificate of appreciation by the Madison County 
Commission, and received the UAH Medal from the Board of Trustees of 
the University of Alabama system.
  In 1990 John and Mac shared a richly deserved Humanitarian Award from 
the Alabama Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation for their vital work on 
behalf of Huntsville and UAH. As the U.S. congressman for Alabama's 
Fifth Congressional District, I am proud to have this opportunity to 
recognize their tremendous talents and accomplishments, as well as 
thank them for their extraordinary contributions to Alabama.

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