[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 128 (Wednesday, September 17, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S11634]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO MARVIN ``SONNY'' ELIOT

  Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, today I have the honor of recognizing a 
great American and Michigander, Marvin ``Sonny'' Eliot. Sonny was born 
and raised in my hometown of Detroit. He is well known as a popular TV 
and radio weatherman, with a career spanning 57 years. However, equally 
as impressive as his broadcasting career is his aviation and military 
career.
  Sonny had always wanted to fly planes. While in high school, he 
commuted across town to take a special aviation course at another 
school. Sonny did so well on the final exam that he was awarded flying 
lessons, which led to his pilot's license in 1940. After high school, 
Sonny attended Wayne State University. Before finishing a degree 
program, he decided to enlist in the U.S. Army Air Corps.
  Following his training in the Air Corps, Sonny was shipped to 
Wendling, England, where he flew B-24's as part of the 392nd Heavy 
Bomber Group. During World War II, Sonny was shot down over Gotha, 
Germany on his 16th mission. Subsequently, he was captured by the Nazis 
and spent 16 months as a Prisoner of War in Germany, 14 of which were 
in the prison camp Stalag Luft I. Due to his valor and loyalty in the 
service, Sonny earned the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, and 
Purple Heart. In addition, he received the Presidential Unit Citation 
with all the members of the 392nd Heavy Bomber Group for carrying out 
one of the most vital air strikes of the aerial attacks of the war.
  After returning from Europe in 1945, Sonny continued his studies at 
Wayne State University where he earned a B.A. in English and an M.A. in 
Mass Communication and began his career in broadcasting. He has spent 
almost six decades on Detroit's airwaves with WWJ Radio and Channels 2 
and 4 television, best known as a personable and humorous weatherman. 
In fact, his witty weather reports have been named the nation's best by 
the National Association of TV Program Executives.
  Nevertheless, his interest in aviation never faded. While at Channel 
4 TV and WWJ, Sonny won numerous news media awards for promotion and 
public awareness of aviation. In addition, he continues to fly and has 
accumulated more than 7,500 hours. Sonny holds the rank of colonel in 
the U.S. Air Force Reserve and was named the Air Force liaison for the 
1st Congressional District. In October 2001, as a result of his 
lifelong commitment to aviation, he was enshrined into the Michigan 
Aviation Hall of Fame.
  Currently, Sonny can be heard on WWJ-AM 950 with his easy-to-
understand weathercasts. I am pleased to join my colleagues in the 
Senate in saluting Marvin ``Sonny'' Eliot's lifetime full of 
contributions to his country and the state of Michigan. I wish him 
continued success in the future.

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