[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 132 (Wednesday, November 17, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S11422]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                TRIBUTE TO MAJOR GENERAL JAMES L. MURRAY

  Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. President, I rise today in memory of Major General 
James L. Murray, U.S. Air Force (Ret.), and Aerospace Executive. Major 
General Murray was recently interred at Arlington National Cemetery. He 
served his country with honor and integrity, and should also be 
recognized for the numerous accomplishments of his half century career.
  Although I was saddened to learn of Major General Murray's death, I 
am proud to have personally known him. This man was a great American, a 
man who loved his country, and a man who always put his country first. 
During his USAF career he logged over 5,500 hours as a pilot in over 60 
different types of aircraft. He then went on to participate in the 
development of the thermal de-icing system, led the design and 
development of the ejection seat escape system, and managed the 
development of the B-52. Major General Murray was very dedicated to 
serving his country, and he clearly demonstrated this dedication while 
in the Air Force. Upon retirement he was awarded the Distinguished 
Service Medal, the highest honor the military conveys in peacetime.
  Major General Murray continued to work toward strengthening our 
Nation after he retired. He led the way at Douglas Aircraft to develop 
the C-5 aircraft, which was a huge triumph of the time and it remains 
today a key part of our military's airlift capability. Major General 
Murray also demonstrated his extraordinary abilities while he was 
President and Chairman of Teledyne CAE, formerly Continental Aviation 
and Engineering. It was here that he led the work to produce the cruise 
missile engines for the U.S. military. The value of these incredibly 
capable precision weapons has been witnessed several times over the 
years, specifically in the first Gulf War.
  Major General Murray and his wife, Phyllis Jennings Murray, made 
beautiful Point Clear, AL, on the eastern shore of Mobile Bay, their 
home in 1985. She survives him together with their seven children, nine 
grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. His family can know that they 
have been beneficiaries of a remarkable legacy.
  Major General Murray led an extraordinarily productive life. All his 
powers and gifts, in the Air Force and in business, were given to 
strengthening the country he loved. There can be no doubt his life's 
work has made a tremendous contribution to a stronger America.

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