[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 106 (Friday, July 29, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1744]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO DON BARBER

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. HAROLD E. FORD, JR.

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 29, 2005

  Mr. FORD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Don Barber of 
Memphis, Tennessee who recently retired as Senior Vice President of Air 
Operations at FedEx Corporation. Don has had an extraordinary career 
with a remarkable company. Beginning in 1976 as an aircraft mechanic, 
his career trajectory tracked the success of FedEx Corporation. For 29 
years, Don rose through the ranks of the company. He was promoted from 
mechanic to Managing Director of Engineering in 1982, to Managing 
Director of Power Plants in 1988, to Managing Director of Airframe 
Maintenance in 1989, to Vice President of Base Maintenance in 1990, to 
Vice President of Aircraft Maintenance in 1992 and finally to Senior 
Vice President of Air Operations in 1998.
  Frederick W. Smith, FedEx Corporation's founder, Chairman and CEO put 
it best when he said, ``Don's retirement marks the end of a career that 
exemplifies FedEx in so many ways, namely that there's little time for 
the status quo in a company moving at the pace of opportunity around 
the world.''
  Don also received accolades from former Federal Aviation 
Administrator Jane Garvey for his vision and drive and has been praised 
by his colleagues for his pivotal roles in the company's most important 
turning points such as the acquisition of Flying Tiger line and the 
purchase of the A380 Airbus, the world's largest commercial airplane.
  FedEx Corporation is an organization known for its effective use of 
technology, aircraft, efficiency and commitment to customer service, 
however it is the company's people--individuals like Don Barber--who 
have made the company a success story that is known throughout the 
world. Mr. Speaker I ask that an article on Mr. Barber be included in 
the Congressional Record and urge my colleagues to join me in honoring 
him for his service to our community.

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