First of all, “Thank you” to members/friends who continue to support the efforts of the Garrett A. Morgan Association (GAMA).
Ms. Sandra Morgan, granddaughter of our namesake, has been appointed to a 4-year term on the Cleveland Municipal School System. She was sworn in by Cleveland Mayor Mike White on September 9, 1998. Ms. Morgan is presently the Regional Manager for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa with the World Trade Center, Cleveland, Ohio.
Mr. Eugene W. Cleckley, Division Chief, Environmental Operations Division, has been selected as the Southern Resource Center Director in Atlanta, Georgia under the restructuring initiatives of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). His new position starts October 1, 1998
Mr. Arthur E. Hamilton, Regional Administrator, Region 7, has been selected as the Federal Lands Highway Program Administrator, Headquarters Core Business Unit, under the restructuring initiatives of the FHWA.
Dr. Walter L. Sutton, former Senior Environmental Attorney for Fina Oil and Chemical Company in Dallas, Texas, was sworn in as Associate Administrator for Policy on September 17, 1998. GAMA is proud to welcome Dr. Sutton to the Federal Highway Administration family and as a new member!
Mr. Joseph Toole, has been selected as Director of Professional Development, under the Headquarters Core Business Unit. Mr. Toole is currently Director, Office of Technology Applications.
For those of you who have not had the opportunity to read the August 1998 FHWA News, you missed an uplifting edition. An article entitled “Federal Highway to Heaven” highlighted Associate Minister Valerie Height, Greater Morning Star Pentecostal Church, Washington, D.C.; Reverend Eugene Johnson, Mount Olive Baptist Church, Centreville, Virginia; Reverend Morris Oliver, interim pastor at the Greater Shiloh Baptist Church, Alexandria, Virginia; and Associate Elder Murray Piper, Greater Remnant Church of God, Baltimore, Maryland. All of them are FHWA employees who reach out to everyone as they carry the spiritual message. The WORD can be delivered no matter what your age. Just take a close look at Office of Motor Carriers’ (OMC) Special Investigator, Anthony Dixon, Sr’s son Anthony Jr., whose favorite biblical scripture is Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through CHRIST who strengthens me.”
Volunteerism continues to be a strong mechanism in reaching out to others. Volunteering to serve not only enhances the lives of others but improves upon your own. All it takes is a commitment of time and effort. Check out the Office of Information and Management Services’ Information Specialist Barbara L. Cox and the Children of the Gospel Mass Choir. The choir represents the Washington Performing Arts Society (WPAS). Ms. Cox is also a member of WPAS’s Men and Women of the Gospel Choir.
GAMA member Bernardyne “Bernie” Williams is registered to run for the Ward 7 School Board Representative seat in the District of Columbia’s November 3 election ballot. Ms. Williams platform is to ensure and contribute to positive changes in the education of the children in Ward 7.
We are quickly approaching our African-American History Month Program and Trailblazer Award Ceremony which will be scheduled for February 1999. With the noted success of prior programs, we are earnestly seeking participation by all members/friends in continuing the legacy of an enlightening and beneficial program. You may contact any GAMA officer and/or me regarding your availability. This program is a consolidated effort between GAMA and the Office of Civil Rights.
Contact GAMA Chairman Al Logie for application forms for the Trailblazer Award nominations. Also, forward names of the individual(s) you wish to suggest as the 1999 keynote speaker for this program to any officer.
Please contact Ms. Betty Warren (202.366.4260) or Ms. Denise Seward (202.366.1131) of the GAMA website team. They are soliciting data that could be used on the website.
Next scheduled monthly meeting date is November 19, Room 7238. Agenda is forthcoming.
The appreciation dinner in honor of FHWA Deputy Administrator Gloria Jeff was a huge success. The dinner was held at the Market Inn on the evening of August 13. Members/friends presented her with a plaque. Ms. Jeff stated that employee associations like GAMA make a difference in the work environment we all share and contribute significantly to the culture of FHWA.
The GAMA family extends their best wishes to OMC’s State Director Curtis L. Thomas during his recovery period. Mr. Thomas was injured in an accident this month.
We continue to express our sympathies to the family of member Charles L. Chambers who died on August 24, 1998.
THANKS AGAIN!!!!!
VICE CHAIR - TRUDY WILLIAMS
