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Rita Morris

I attended William Paterson College when it was called Paterson State Teacher’s College as a kindergarten-primary major until I got married in 1967, automatically becoming a military wife (Air Force), of young Lieutenant Morris (and after four years, Captain Morris). I have been married to the same person all these years (over 36). While my husband attended Pilot Training School in Del Rio, Texas and learned to solo, I (substituted) substitute taught in the public schools of the Del Rio Independent Public School System. Then we moved to Langley A.F.B. in southern Virginia. Our son was born there while the Vietnam War was still raging on. My husband was part of Tactical Air Command rotation as part of NATO, US Air Force Squadron. He was stationed temporarily in Europe several times. After my husband got out of the Air Force, we moved to Maryland, where our youngest, our daughter was born after my husband graduated law school nights at University of Baltimore. I went back to college in 1980 and graduated University of Maryland in 1982. Then I was recruited with security clearance by a government agency (FBI). (1980’s) I wound up in fingerprinting section. Eventually, I went back to teaching in a private nursery school which was closer to home and easier on a person with children. As I was getting older I chose working with students with disabilities out of the counseling office in local community college. It gave me more of a flexible schedule and more time for my own family. Now I am semi-retired since my husband was chosen a few years ago as the Director of Regulatory and Legal Affairs of Indian Health Services which is a part of Health and Human Services. He received the Secretary’s Award in 2002 for distinguished service by Tommy Thompson who is Secretary of Health and Human Service in a special ceremony in D.C. which included others, who have served their country well. He was also chosen to attend the F.E.I., (Federal Executive Institute) for outstanding leadership studies.

Our son graduated college in PA. (York), was in the army for a time, was in intelligence training during George Bush Sr.’s Desert Storm and is a caseworker by profession. He married and moved to another state where he has a family of his own. Our grand daughter is a blessing from him.

Our youngest, our daughter, who has taken pre-law courses seems to be interested in law. She is an avid fan of the Baltimore Orioles especially before Cal Ripkin retired. Antiquing is also one of her enjoyments. I must say her enthusiasm for these two last things have rubbed off on us.

We reside as long time residents of Maryland where we are members of many civic and religious organizations.

My husband, Les Morris, JD, received the Indian Health Service DIRECTOR'S AWARD, which was presented on APRIL 22, 2005. It is in recognition of "YOUR [his] OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE, DEDICATION AND COMMITTMENT TO THE MISSION OF THE INDIAN HEALTH SERVICE" FOR 2004.

Les has finally decided to retire [dated 12/5/05]. It has been forty years of government service(including military service). It will be official as of January, 2006. They are giving him an honorary dinner reception in January of next year. I hope it will not snow as I will probably still be on crutches (due to a bad fall last March) but will hopefully alleviate the pain after my knee operation that is coming up soon.

Rita Morris (Kirsch) ritamor99@comcast.net.