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“SALUTING ELEANOR J. WILLIAMS DURING BLACK HISTORY MONTH” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Transportation was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E298 on Feb. 8, 1995.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
SALUTING ELEANOR J. WILLIAMS DURING BLACK HISTORY MONTH
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HON. LOUIS STOKES
of ohio
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, February 8, 1995
Mr. STOKES. Mr. Speaker, each February our Nation celebrates Black History Month. This occasion provides us the opportunity to herald the accomplishments of African-Americans in United States history, and to honor those still setting the pace by which history is both created and measured. Today I rise to recognize one such individual, Eleanor J. Williams, who was selected to be the first black woman manager of an enroute air traffic control center. Ms. Williams oversees the Cleveland Air Route Traffic Control Center in Oberlin, OH, the Nation's second busiest such facility.
Eleanor Williams began her diligent career with the Federal Aviation Administration in 1965 as a clerk stenographer in Anchorage, AK. Those who know her never had any question of how far she would go in her career. Her determination, and sense of self and spirit have marked her personality, as well as her resume. In 1985, she received the Secretary's Award for Excellence from the Department of Transportation. In 1990, she was a Women in Management Delegate to the Soviet Union with People to People International. And in 1991 she was the recipient of the C. Alfred Anderson Award from the National Black Coalition of Federal Aviation Employees. Eleanor Williams was listed in Who's Who of American Women 4 years in a row.
After her start with the FAA in Alaska, in 1971 she became the first black woman to certify as an air traffic control specialist. By 1979 she had become an area supervisor in San Juan, Puerto Rico before her promotion to staff specialist for the FAA in Atlanta. By the mid-1980's she moved into a staff specialist role at FAA headquarters in Washington, DC before yet another promotion to area manager of the Kansas City region Air Traffic Division Office. Two more promotions followed in Kansas City before she received her historic post in Cleveland last year.
Mr. Speaker, the awards from Ms. Williams' professional life cannot begin to match the rewards of her personal life. Eleanor, the mother of seven and a foster child, is not only a role model to colleagues, but also the employees she supervises, and to the union members she has led. Her commitment to the Air Traffic Control Association, the Gamma Phi Delta sorority, Business and Professional Women, the Second Baptist Church, and the NAACP has left these and many other organizations the richer for her involvement. Eleanor's passion for excellence and ability to reach any goal inspires those around her to strive for the stars. Her powerful spirit is fueled by her faith in God, which enables her to tackle any task before her and has navigated her into uncharted waters.
Mr. Speaker, Eleanor Williams is a perfect example of the opportunity to be won by hard work and ardor in America. Eleanor is someone of whom the African-American community, women, and indeed Americans everywhere should be proud. Let me share with you a portion of a stunning poem written by an eighth-grader named Shondel, which was composed in honor of Ms. Eleanor Williams and her pioneering spirit.
You've accomplished many things allbecause in life you've dared and won yourself wings.Long ago your wings took flight, neverin darkness being lost, for you saw thepath with inner-sightYour faith and freedom forever shall live, forin your life you have never believed in Never.
Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me during Black History Month in saluting Eleanor J. Williams, an outstanding individual with a spirit that joins her with outstanding African-Americans of the past and those who will follow.
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