[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 22 (Thursday, February 26, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E243]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO GARRETT AUGUSTUS MORGAN

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. STEPHANIE TUBBS JONES

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 26, 2004

  Mrs. JONES of Ohio. I rise today to pay tribute to a highly gifted 
and innovative African-American whose inventions play an integral role 
in public safety all across the world. I would like to take a few 
moments to recognize Garrett Augustus Morgan's contributions that have 
improved public safety today, and forever.
  Garrett A. Morgan was born in Paris, Kentucky on March 4, 1877. 
Although Morgan was born into poverty and attained only a fifth grade 
education, he aspired to be successful. In 1895, while he was a 
teenager, he moved to Cincinnati and then to Cleveland, Ohio to pursue 
his ambitions. Morgan started off working in a sewing factory later 
established his own sewing factory. Morgan was curious by nature and 
began to venture into other projects.
  In 1909, he discovered a substance that straightened hair and made 
African-American's his target patrons. This product was sold to 
African-Americans through his own G.A. Morgan Hair Refining Co. He 
later achieved the financial security to pursue other ideas.
  Morgan received national attention for using a gas mask he had 
invented to rescue several men trapped during an explosion in a tunnel 
that was being built to ease congestion under Lake Erie. Many fire 
departments became interested in these gas masks, because they filtered 
the air in the tunnel. These masks were later used in World War I, and 
Morgan received a patent for a Safety Hood and Smoke Protector in the 
following years. Among other awards he received for this invention were 
a gold medal at the International Exposition of Sanitation and Safety, 
and a gold medal from the International Association of Fire Chiefs.
  In 1920, Morgan collaborated and established a newspaper for African-
Americans, called the Cleveland Call, which is now known as the Call 
and Post. After first running a sewing firm, inventing the gas mask, 
and creating the Cleveland Call, Morgan gained a great reputation as a 
worker and entrepreneur. But it was Morgan's invention of the traffic 
light that he is most remembered for. After observing an accident 
between a vehicle and horse-carriage, Morgan was zealous to improve 
public safety. In the early 20th century, many accidents were common 
partly because animal transportation, pedestrians, and vehicles shared 
streets. Instead of being satisfied with his prior achievements, 
Garrett A. Morgan subsequently was granted a patent for the traffic 
signals. He later sold his rights to his traffic signal to the General 
Electric Corporation for $40,000.
  Garrett A. Morgan died on August 27, 1963 at the age of 86. Due to 
his safety inventions, the world is much safer. I ask you all to take a 
moment to ponder on how many lives have been saved due to Garrett A. 
Morgan's innovative inventions. I like to salute a Cleveland Legend, 
businessman, inventor, and hero. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance 
of my time.

                          ____________________