[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 107 (Thursday, June 26, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1376]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING THE SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF SERGEANT WALTER J. 
                                 MORRIS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 26, 2008

  Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to give homage to one of 
America's forgotten heroes, Sergeant Walter J. Morris, the first 
African-American U.S. Army paratrooper and a member of the 555 
Parachute Infantry Battalion or ``Triple Nickels''. The Triple Nickels 
succeeded in becoming the Nation's first African-American parachute 
infantry battalion and the first African-American unit to be integrated 
into the mainstream U.S. Army during WorId War II.
  Sergeant Morris is a pioneer who blazed a trail that many African-
American paratroopers proudly follow today. This wasn't an easy 
accomplishment in a totally segregated army. The U.S. Army had a 
tradition of relegating Blacks to menial jobs with very little chance 
for advancement. Sergeant Morris routinely required his soldier to 
exercise and do calisthenics after the White soldiers left the field; 
this led to increased stamina and confidence in the Black soldiers. 
These exercises led to the creation of a ``test'' company of Black 
soldiers. The Black soldiers under Sergeant Morris' leadership were so 
successful that the company soon became the now famous ``555 Parachute 
Infantry Battalion''. Sergeant Morris was masterful in instilling pride 
and a sense of accomplishments in the men he led. His efforts led to 
the diversity we see in the military today.
  His efforts are even more impressive when you fully consider the 
hardships and indignities Black soldiers had to endure. As a proud 
Black sergeant, Sergeant Morris, with polished boots and paratrooper 
wings, still had to use the ``colored'' toilets and drinking fountains, 
sit in segregated sections of theaters, go out of his way to avoid 
confrontations with racist police and was denied entry into the post's 
officers' club.
  After his military service, Sergeant Morris continued to live his 
civilian life with distinction. In keeping with his pioneering spirit, 
in 1968, he became the first African-American bricklayer foreman in the 
city of New York with the Planet Construction Company. This 
accomplishment was another for Sergeant Morris on the path of opening 
additional doors historically closed to African-Americans. In 1973, he 
became the first African-American construction supervisor in the city 
of New York, working for the Bedford-Stuyvesant Corporation in Brooklyn 
until his retirement in 1983.
  Sergeant Morris is truly a pioneer and has led a very distinguished 
life. His work to help end the color barrier in the U.S. Army and his 
fight to have the accomplishments of Black soldiers recognized paved 
the way for future generations to serve in an integrated U.S. Army. His 
legacy also includes being the proud father of Patricia Worthy of 
Washington, DC, and Crystal Poole of St. Petersburg, FL.
  I ask my colleagues in the House to join me in recognizing the 
lifelong accomplishments of Sergeant Walter J. Morris and his 
relentless pursuit to create new opportunities for African-Americans.

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