[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 20 (Tuesday, February 29, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E186]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO DALE MORRIS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 29, 2000

  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to 
an outstanding American, Mr. Dale Morris. Mr. Morris has devoted his 
career to helping individuals in public service. As the Manager of 
Special Services and Government Affairs for American Airlines, Mr. 
Morris is responsible for handling elected officials and other 
government VIPs, including diplomats and Members of Congress, as they 
make their way throughout the world. As a registered lobbyist, he also 
is responsible for advocating on behalf of American Airlines' varied 
interests with respect to the myriad regulations that challenge 
airlines and help keep American citizens safe.
  Mr. Morris is departing the Washington area for Dallas, Texas, where 
he will serve as Company Spokesperson at American Airlines' Corporate 
Communications office. He will be missed by those of us who have 
counted on his commitment to top notch customer service, and especially 
for his ability to find simple solutions to complicated challenges. Mr. 
Morris's promotion is a phenomenal reflection of his own achievements 
as well as American Airlines' commitment to equal opportunity. As an 
African American, Mr. Morris has overcome tremendous obstacles 
throughout his career. He began in the industry eighteen years ago as a 
passenger sales representative for United Airlines. His professional 
honors and accomplishments are numerous, and include being awarded the 
NATO commendation medal from Field Marshall Sir Richard Vincent, GBE, 
KCB, DSO and Chairman of the Military Committee; organizing the ``Ax 
the Fuel Tax'' airline rally in Washington, D.C.; assisting with Wright 
Amendment legislation; serving as an ``On Air'' spokesperson for 
American Airlines during the pilots' proposed strike; and personally 
interacting with Senator John McCain on the ``Passenger Bill of 
Rights.''
  Regarding Dale Morris' professional triumphs, it might be said that 
they are merely genetic. His father, William Morris, was awarded the 
Bronze Star for operations during the Invasion of Normandy during World 
War II with the all Black 6th Calvary Infantry unit. His great uncle 
Leroy Calhoun also served with the Black Stevedores/Pioneer Infantry 
unit in France during World War II, and another uncle played baseball 
for the all Black Fresno Giants of the Negro Leagues. As the proud 
father of Dale, Jr., Keith Ernest, and Erin Mitchell, and the reverent 
husband of Janet Leigh Riley Morris, Dale has managed to soar 
professionally while keeping his primary focus on his family, which in 
his view, is the only reason worth living. He has given his family a 
great deal of which to be proud. As his friend, and the beneficiary of 
his sincere devotion to professional integrity, I am equally proud. It 
is on behalf of the countless other Members of Congress who have 
appreciated his fine service, that I congratulate Dale on his 
remarkable promotion, and on this, the 29th day of February, 2000, not 
only his last day in the Washington office of American Airlines but his 
birthday, I wish him every personal and professional success.

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