[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 34 (Thursday, March 21, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E400-E401]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 A RESOLUTION ADJOURNING THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN LOVING MEMORY 
                   AND HONOR OF WILLIAM ANDREW CANNON

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. MARY BONO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 20, 2002

  Mrs. BONO. Mr. Speaker, The most prominent glory of a country is in 
its great men. A nation's spirit and its success will depend on its 
willingness to learn from their example. In life we shall find many men 
that are great, and some men that are good, but very few men that are 
both great and good. William Andrew Cannon was such a man.
  With deepest respect and admiration, we pay homage and tribute to 
William Andrew Cannon, and we pause in silent reverence for his soul.

       Whereas, William Andrew Cannon was born on August 25, 1920, 
     a native of Sweeny, Texas, and longtime resident of the State 
     of Mississippi, and he traversed these earthly bounds on 
     February 28, 2002; and
       Whereas, William Andrew Cannon was the devoted husband of 
     Lucy de Forcade de Biaix, a member of the Italian 
     aristocracy, whom he married on the Isle of Capri in 1945; he 
     was the loving father of a son, Fred, and a daughter, Tina 
     Jennie, and he was the proud grandfather of six 
     grandchildren, Carlo, Crystel, Francesco, Elena, Lauren, and 
     Guglielimo; and
       Whereas, William Andrew Cannon graduated from Corinth High 
     School in Corinth, Mississippi in 1938, and he attended 
     Western Kentucky University School of Business in Bowling 
     Green from 1938 to 1941, after which time he became a 
     managing partner of the Van Bibber Lumber Plant in Fulton, 
     Mississippi, before joining the United States Air Force to 
     serve in World War II; and
       Whereas, William Andrew Cannon served his country with 
     pride and distinction during World War II; he was a pilot, 
     stationed in Foggia, Italy, from 1943 to 1946, and he held 
     the rank of 1st Lieutenant with the 463rd Bombardment Group 
     of the United States 15th Air Force; and during this perilous 
     time, along with the personnel of the 463rd Bombardment 
     Group, he exhibited commendable efficiency in skill, 
     devotion, courage, and determination while facing intense 
     enemy opposition over the skies of Germany and Eastern 
     Europe, flying gallantly through in wing formation to reach 
     designated targets; and William Andrew Cannon, receiving an 
     honorable discharge in May 1946, was the recipient of the 
     Second Presidential Unit Citation for his extraordinary 
     heroism and outstanding performance of duty in military 
     operation against the enemy at Ploesti on May 18, 1944, and 
     at the Daimler Benz Tank Works in Berlin on March 24, 1945; 
     and
       Whereas, William Andrew Cannon, upon being discharged from 
     the United States Air Force in 1946, returned to the Van 
     Bibber Lumber Plant in Fulton, Mississippi, serving as a 
     partner until 1954, before joining the United States 
     Department of Defense in 1955 in Naples, Italy, where he 
     worked as Maintenance Control Engineer for Public Works at 
     the Naval Support Facility until 1983, and afterwards, he 
     received many honors for his outstanding service; and in 
     1983, he joined the Naval Communications Mediterranean as 
     Facility Manager, and he retired from that post on March 31, 
     1990; and
       Whereas, having received numerous awards for active 
     service, William Andrew Cannon, at the time of his 
     retirement, also was the recipient of the Department of the 
     Navy's

[[Page E401]]

     Meritorious Award for Civilian Service, and he also received 
     a commendation certificate for 38 years of devoted service to 
     the United States government; and
       Whereas, throughout his life, William Andrew Cannon was an 
     inspiration to all the lives he touched through his 
     courageous patriotic leadership, his ethics and integrity, 
     his congenial nature, his constructive attitude, dedication 
     to his country, and his forthright manner made a positive 
     impact on those who had the pleasure of knowing him; and
       Whereas, the passion, dedication, intelligence, patriotism, 
     and social consciousness William Andrew Cannon brought to 
     this great country will never be forgotten, and his influence 
     will continue; and
       Whereas, the passing of William Andrew Cannon on February 
     28, 2002, has left a void that cannot be filled, and he is 
     mourned across the length and breadth of the Commonwealth;
       Be it resolved by the U.S. House of Representatives:
       Section 1.--The House of Representatives does hereby 
     express its profound sense of sorrow upon the passing of 
     William Andrew Cannon, and extends to his family and many 
     friends its most heartfelt sympathy.
       Section 2.--When the House of Representatives adjourns this 
     day, it does so in loving memory and honor of William Andrew 
     Cannon.
       Section 3.--The Clerk of the House of Representatives is 
     hereby directed to transmit copies of this Resolution to Mrs. 
     Lucy de Forcade de Biaix Cannon, 702 Jefferson Street, 
     Booneville, Mississippi 38829; Ms. Tina Jennie Cannon, 702 
     Jefferson Street, Booneville, Mississippi 38829; and Mr. Fred 
     Cannon, BMI, 320 West 57th Street, New York, New York 10019.

     

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