[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 3 (Tuesday, January 8, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E17]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    BIRTHDAY WISHES TO PETTIS NORMAN

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, January 8, 2019

  Ms. JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 
birthday of a dear friend and a true East Texas treasure, Pettis 
Norman.
  Pettis Norman, once known as one of the premier athletes in the 
National Football League and a long-time Dallas Cowboy, is recognized 
as a successful businessman with a keen sense of civic responsibility 
and boundless energy. With more than forty years of business 
experience, this former Cowboys star has achieved record success on and 
off the field. Norman was active in changing the segregationist climate 
within the Cowboys and later the city of Dallas, helping organized 
marches during the civil rights movement influencing the changing of 
the team's roommate assignments and breaking social barriers.
  During his collegiate and professional careers, Pettis was a stellar 
athlete. He was voted a First Team, Currier All-American in 1962, while 
attending Johnson C. Smith University as a physical education student. 
Upon graduating, Pettis joined the National Football League and won 
three championships as a starting tight end for the Dallas Cowboys and 
San Diego Chargers over nine seasons.
  In addition to his professional sports endeavors, Pettis pursued a 
career in banking with South Oak Cliff State Bank in Dallas. Pettis was 
initially hired to work in Public Relations, but quickly rose to the 
position of Assistant Vice President in Business Development. Shortly 
thereafter, he was promoted to Vice President, becoming the first-ever 
African-American Banking Officer in the region.
  Pettis furthered his business interests by also venturing into real 
estate and restaurant franchising over the course of three decades. To 
date, Pettis has created four companies under the umbrella known as PNI 
Industries. He also created The Dallas Together Forum, consisting of 
approximately 20 CEOs from Fortune 500 companies, to address the 
pressing issues of minorities and female participation in the 
``bounties of our nation''. The Dallas Together Forum became a 
successful model that had been replicated across the nation.
  Pettis Norman is well-regarded and is highly respected within the 
Dallas community. I would like to recognize him on his birthday, and I 
thank him for his leadership to this community and to the city of 
Dallas, Texas.

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