[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 70 (Tuesday, May 1, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E901-E902]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     RECOGNIZING MRS. VAUGHAN INGE MORRISSETTE FOR HER SIGNIFICANT 
  PHILANTHROPIC CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE CITY OF MOBILE AND THE STATE OF 
                                ALABAMA

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JO BONNER

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 1, 2007

  Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, in life, there are givers and there are 
takers, and it is with personal pride and pleasure that I recognize 
someone who is always giving and always doing for others, Mobile's own, 
Vaughan Inge Morrissette. In this vein, I rise today to salute Vaughan 
and offer her our heartfelt thanks on behalf of the people of south 
Alabama for a lifetime of exemplary philanthropic service to both the 
city of Mobile and the state of Alabama.
  For some 40 years, Vaughan has dedicated a considerable amount of her 
time toward the advancement of education, the arts, and history by 
serving as trustee, board member, and even as chairman of numerous 
organizations in the state and throughout the nation.
  Shortly after graduating from Sweet Briar College in Virginia in 
1954, Vaughan began to make a name for herself in the all-important 
area of volunteerism. Ironically, it was some forty years later than 
Vaughan would be named to the board of directors of her alma mater. She 
served Sweet Briar in this capacity from 1996-2002.
  In 1973, Vaughan became a member of the Colonial Dames, serving on 
the Conde Charlotte Museum House Committee, trustee for the friends of 
Sulgrave Manor, center head, state president, and national board 
member. She currently serves on the Dumbarton House

[[Page E902]]

Fund for the Future and is actively involved in the Colonial Dames' 
Vision Committee, a national committee designed to help state societies 
emulate the success of Alabama's. From 1987 until 1996, she served as 
trustee for Washington and Lee University in Virginia, and has also 
served on the board of directors for Spring Hill College in Mobile.
  With an obvious desire to help others, Vaughan has served in similar 
capacities as chairman of Mobile Infirmary Medical Center, president of 
the Junior League of Mobile, and as a vestry member of St. Paul's 
Episcopal Church.
  While her family obviously comes first, Vaughan has a genuine love 
for Mobile where she currently serves as board chairman of both the 
Mobile Museum of Art and the Alabama School of Math and Science 
Foundation. She also serves on the board of directors for the Alabama 
Archives and History Foundation, American Village and Citizenship 
Trust, Alabama Department of Archives and History, and as trustee of 
the Carnival Museum in Mobile. She is also trustee for the Alabama 
Institute of the Deaf and Blind Foundation and director of the Alabama 
Arts Council.
  Madam Speaker, as I mentioned earlier, Vaughan's involvement is not 
just at the local and state level, but at the national level as well.
  For years she has represented the state of Alabama on the Mount 
Vernon Ladies Association of the Union, a prestigious group which bears 
the responsibility for maintaining and preserving President George 
Washington's home at Mount Vernon. Through their network of contacts 
throughout the country, as well as their considerable efforts, funds 
are raised privately so that Mount Vernon continues to be completely 
maintained without the help of taxpayer dollars. Vaughan served as 
regent of the Mount Vernon Ladies Association of the Union from 1994-
1997.
  She has also included a stint on the board of directors for AmSouth 
Bank.
  Madam Speaker, Vaughan Morrissette has dedicated practically her 
entire life to the service of others in south Alabama, all-the-while 
being a devoted wife, mother to four children, and grandmother to 11 
wonderful grandchildren.
  When her husband, the late H. Taylor Morrissette, passed away in 
1990, Vaughan picked up the mantle and has, more times than one can 
count, made her beautiful home available to entertain visiting 
dignitaries and others who were looking to make Mobile and south 
Alabama home. In many ways, she has been a one-person chamber of 
commerce, always promoting Mobile, always speaking positively about 
where our community is going. It is very safe to say that Vaughan is 
always looking forward with confidence that Mobile's best days are 
ahead.
  Madam Speaker, as I said at the beginning of this tribute, some 
people in life are givers; others are takers. Make no mistake, Vaughan 
Inge Morrissette has spent practically her entire life giving, and I 
ask my colleagues to join with me in thanking Vaughan for her 
commitment to so many wonderful philanthropic missions.
  I know her family and her many friends join with me in praising her 
many accomplishments. On behalf of all who have benefited from her good 
heart and generous spirit, permit me to extend thanks for her many 
efforts over the past four decades in making Mobile and south Alabama a 
better place to live and work.

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