[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 3]
[Senate]
[Page 3499]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   PROMOTION OF COMMANDER MICKEY ROSS

  Mrs. LINCOLN. Mr. President, I am honored this morning to recognize 
Commander Mickey Vernon Ross, a great American from Arkansas who later 
today will be promoted to the rank of Captain in the United States 
Navy. With his promotion to Captain, Commander Ross not only earns the 
respect and admiration of his country, he also earns a place in 
Arkansas history, becoming the first African-American from our state to 
attain that high rank.
  Commander Ross is a native of North Little Rock and comes from a 
proud family with a long record of military service, following his 
father and three older brothers into the Armed Services. His father is 
no longer with us, but his mother, Minnie P. Ross, has traveled from 
Arkansas to be at the ceremony formally recognizing her son's promotion 
today. As you might imagine, she is overjoyed knowing how hard her son 
has worked to accomplish this feat. His wife, Mary Ann Ross, of Elaine, 
Arkansas, which is my home area, and their two children, Timothy, age 
14, and Benjamin, age 6, will also be on hand to celebrate this 
momentous occasion.
  From an early age, Commander Ross has exhibited excellence in all 
aspects of his life--academically, professionally and personally. More 
than that, in a world short on heroes and role models to guide our 
children, Commander Ross is a shining example of the brilliant promise 
every life holds. Hard work and an eager spirit still equal success in 
America--no matter how difficult the challenges may be. It is my 
privilege--indeed, my duty as a voice for my state--to hold him up as 
an example for others to see.
  After graduating from North Little Rock High School in 1973, 
Commander Ross attended the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, 
Maryland, where he was commissioned an Ensign and graduated in 1977 
with a degree in Physical Science. In 1983, Commander Ross received a 
Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from the Naval Postgraduate 
School in Monterey, California. Currently, Commander Ross is pursuing a 
doctoral degree in Engineering Management at George Washington 
University.
  As an officer in the Navy, Commander Ross has served his country with 
distinction. His first tour of duty was onboard the U.S.S. Ranger CV 61 
where he helped the command receive top honors, the No. 1 Recruiting 
District in the Nation. Later, on the U.S.S. Acadia as the Repair 
Officer, his department received the highest award for fleet 
maintenance support and the ship received the Navy ``E'' award from 
Commander Naval Surface Forces, Pacific. And I couldn't help but notice 
that in between his many assignments, Commander Ross found time to 
return to Arkansas to recruit Naval Officers at colleges and 
universities in our state. Today, Commander Ross is Director for Combat 
Systems for the Program Executive Officer for Aircraft Carriers at the 
Naval Sea Systems Command in Arlington, Virginia.
  But Commander Ross' record as a student and a Naval Officer aren't 
the only things for which I want to commend him this morning. Commander 
Ross is also a devoted husband and a wonderful father. His wife, Mary 
Anne, and their children must be very proud of him today.
  My father fought in Korea and my grandfather fought in World War I 
and they taught me at an early age to have the highest respect for the 
men and women in uniform who defend our nation. On behalf of the state 
of Arkansas and the United States Senate, I thank you, Commander Ross, 
for your service to our country. I hope the honor you bestow on your 
family, our state and our nation today inspires others to follow your 
example. I, for one, will be following your career with great interest 
and I suspect this will not be my last opportunity to recognize an 
outstanding achievement in your life.
  I thank you, Mr. President.

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