[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 72 (Thursday, May 3, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E944]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING THE MEMORY OF MR. W.O. MOZINGO

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JO BONNER

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 3, 2007

  Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, the city of Mobile and southwest Alabama 
recently lost a dear friend, and I rise today to honor and pay tribute 
to the memory of W.O. Mozingo.
  Before moving to Mobile, ``Mo'' as he was known to his friends, 
joined the U.S. Army during World War II and served in the 65th 
Infantry Division of the European Theatre. He led a mine platoon, 
locating and disarming land mines. He was wounded in action and became 
a Disabled American Veteran and lifetime member of the VFW, Post 49.
  Considered by many to be the father of the labor movement in 
southwest Alabama, Mr. Mozingo began his career with the former 
National City Bus Line in Mobile and joined the Amalgamated Transit 
Union Local No. 770 in 1943. He served in various capacities as a union 
member, including 20 years as president and 19 years as president of 
the Southwest Alabama Labor Council, AFL-CIO.
  It goes without saying that Mr. Mozingo was well known throughout the 
Mobile community. He served on numerous boards of directors, including 
the American Red Cross, Volunteers of America, the United Way of 
Southwest Alabama, Mobile United, South Alabama Regional Planning 
Commission, and the Advisory Board for Springhill Memorial Hospital. 
Mr. Mozingo was also a lifelong Democrat. In 1999, the Mobile County 
Democratic Party awarded him the Democratic Award of Distinction.
  Mr. Mozingo's awards were also just as numerous. In 1992, he was 
inducted into the Alabama Organized Labor Awards Foundation Hall of 
Fame. The Southwest Alabama Labor Council, AFL-CIO, honored him by 
creating an annual award known as the ``W.O. Mozingo Community Services 
Award.'' He earned the distinction of being one of only five Mobilians 
to achieve Emeritus status with the United Way board.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in remembering a 
dedicated community leader and friend to many throughout southwest 
Alabama. W.O. ``Mo'' Mozinger will be deeply missed by his family--his 
wife of sixty eight years, Myrtle LaBarreare Mozingo; their three 
children, William Gary Mozingo, Linda Mozingo Murphy, and John W. 
Mozingo; his sister, Josephine Beddingfield; three grandchildren; and 
two great grandchildren--as well as the countless friends he leaves 
behind. Our thoughts and prayers are with them all at this difficult 
time.

                          ____________________