[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 66 (Wednesday, May 12, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E832]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  COMMEMORATING THE RETIREMENT OF LEMUEL M. PROCTOR, CHIEF OPERATING 
     OFFICER, WASHINGTON METROPOLITAN AREA TRANSIT AUTHORITY, 2004

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ALBERT RUSSELL WYNN

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 12, 2004

  Mr. WYNN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take a moment to recognize a 
man who has demonstrated that one person can make a difference in the 
lives of millions of people. If you are proud of the Metrorail system, 
you can thank Lemuel M. Proctor, who is the Chief Operating Officer for 
Rail Service at the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority 
(WMATA). Today, I honor the almost-thirty years of service that Mr. 
Proctor has given to millions of citizens of Maryland and the 
Washington region.
  A lifelong resident of Mitchellville, Mr. Proctor received his 
education and training in Prince George's County schools and the U.S. 
Air Force. From his modest beginnings as an electrical mechanic in 
1974, Mr. Proctor steadily rose through the ranks to become one of the 
highest-ranking African-American executives at WMATA.
  Mr. Proctor's credibility with rank and file employees has been 
critical to his success, particularly on September 11, 2001. On that 
day, Mr. Proctor had just overseen a busy morning rush hour, and many 
operators were returning to their home bases. After the morning's 
terrorist attacks, Mr. Proctor's task was to convince railcar operators 
to turn their trains around and transport passengers home safely. Mr. 
Proctor ensured that his employees had protective gear and sent them 
out to the system, where they performed their duties without 
hesitation. On that day, Metrorail transported passengers into and out 
of the region on back-to-back rush hours without incident.
  With his energy and intelligence, Lem Proctor could have been a 
success in any line of work he desired. With the world at his feet, Mr. 
Proctor chose to make public service his vocation, and for that, we 
should all be grateful. I wish him the very best in his new endeavors.

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