[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 10] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page 14132] [From the U.S. 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. ____________________