[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 7 (Tuesday, February 5, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E72-E73]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING SGT. DWIGHT MORGAN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 5, 2002

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, last September 14th I spoke 
on this floor and said that my dream as a Member of Congress was to 
never have to vote to send our American men and women into combat. At 
that time, our nation had just been victim to a horrific attack, and I 
joined my colleagues in Congress in voting to authorize our government 
to use military force to prevent the terrorists from striking again. I 
return to the floor today, saddened but proud, to honor a brave young 
man from my district who gave his life to protecting our nation.
  Dwight Morgan, a Sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps, died in a 
helicopter crash near Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan. Dwight was only 
24 years old, and was a native of Napa and Willits, California. He was 
a proud, hard-working Marine. His life-long gift for mechanics led him 
to be a specialist in helicopter hydraulics and electronics.
  All those who knew Sergeant Morgan praised his work ethic, his 
sincerity, and his dedication to his family. School principals, 
football coaches, and teachers who had the opportunity to have Dwight 
under their guidance are unanimous in their respect for the way he 
conducted himself as a student, an athlete, and a young man.
  Before Dwight died aboard a CH-53E ``Super Stallion'' helicopter, the 
Marine Corps had nominated him for a promotion to Staff Sergeant, which 
will now be awarded posthumously. His promotion is testament to his 
dedication to the Marine Corps. Since high school, his dream was to be 
a United States Marine. He served for over 5 years, and was most 
recently a member of the Flying Tigers, a helicopter squadron based at 
Marine Corps Air Station Miramar.
  Dwight was highly regarded by those who knew him because of his 
commitment to his family. Soon after high school, Dwight married Teresa 
Morgan, who is pregnant with their

[[Page E73]]

second child. One of Dwight's greatest joys was being a father to their 
son, Alex.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring Sergeant Dwight Morgan for 
sacrificing his life to protect the citizens of the United States. At a 
time when all citizens are being asked to be vigilant in a war that has 
struck our homeland, we should have a high regard for the courage and 
dedication of Dwight Morgan.

                          ____________________