[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 17]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 22769-22770]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO ANNE WHITEMAN

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MICHAEL C. BURGESS

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 25, 2009

  Mr. BURGESS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of a brave 
American, Anne Whiteman. Anne was born September 5, 1956 to parents who 
met and married in Tubingen, Germany. Her father was born and raised in 
Germany and fought as a soldier in the German Army during WWII and was 
later held captive by the American Forces. During Anne's childhood, he 
recounted many fascinating stories that led to his love for America and 
his becoming a U.S. citizen.
  Though Anne was born in Virginia she completed high school in Germany 
and worked at the American Consulate in Frankfurt. After college and 
various jobs she applied with the FAA in 1981 and was the first woman 
certified Air Traffic Controller to work at El Paso. In those days, 
pilots were not used to speaking with a female controller but she 
quickly earned their respect. She was selected for a position at DFW in 
1984 where she started in the Tower but later moved downstairs to work 
in the Terminal Radar Approach Control, TRACON, radar room. Anne 
believes that her move to the TRACON gave her the best gift as it was 
there that she met her husband. No one thought they could survive 
working together every day but not only did they survive but they 
thrived. Anne was certified on all positions in February of 1986 and 
became the first female controller to certify at DFW TRACON.
  Anne has worked many aircraft in distress and has assisted pilots as 
she grew in her knowledge of aircraft and skills. As a result, she was 
encouraged to bid on a supervisor's position and after much 
encouragement bid on a temporary supervisor detail and was selected for 
the 120 days in August 1985 and became hers permanently and the rest is 
history.
  While Anne Whiteman received numerous awards throughout her career 
and became

[[Page 22770]]

recognized as a valued FAA team member, this all changed when the 
safety concerns she reported were compromised and covered up which led 
to her blowing the whistle. As a result, she was ostracized at the job 
she loved. During Anne's career, she has supervised or trained at least 
30 air traffic controllers at the DFW Tower or in TRACON and was 
recognized by the Department of Transportation Inspector General who 
found her egregious reports were well-documented. Twice during a three-
year period, these reports were submitted to the President. This 
reporting activity also led to her being awarded the Office of Special 
Counsel's 2005 Public Service Award and later sharing the Public 
Servant of the Year in 2008 for her contribution to air safety. She was 
also nominated for the 2006 Service to America medal while the 
reprisals continued along with her safety concerns. After some 30 years 
of service with the FAA, Anne Whiteman is no ordinary hero for she put 
her job and well-being on the line for what she believed was needed in 
order to protect the flying public.
  As a Member of Congress it has been my honor to serve this valiant 
American who not only helped pave the way for women controllers but 
also serves as a courageous example in the protection of air travel and 
she did not flinch at such a great personal loss. This record serves to 
honor this service as she retires from the job she loves on September 
3, 2009.

                          ____________________