“It took me awhile,” he said, “to get through the mental fog after she was killed to write the new law. Then I had to figure out how to get it on the books.”
LAKELAND, FL, December 14, 2023 /24-7PressRelease/ — D. Brian Morris has been included in Marquis Who’s Who. As in all Marquis Who’s Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
A little more than 11 years ago in Montgomery, AL, Governor Robert Bently, with State Senator Cam Ward and State Representative Chester “Mac” MacCutcheon by his side, sat at small desk and signed into effect, Code of Alabama § 13-6-90.1. Stalking in the Second Degree, also known as “Tracy’s Law.” Named after Huntsville nurse, Tracy Lynn Morris, who was murdered by her stalker in 1999, the law continues to save lives by bringing stalkers to justice before they turn violent. While few in Alabama know that law specifically, fewer know its namesake, and fewer still, the tragedy-turned-to-triumph story of her grieving, ex-cop brother who made it so.
D. Brian Morris is a former Police Officer for the City of Huntsville, AL who served with distinction from 1986 to 1994 (full time until 1991 and as a reserve until 1994) and was awarded a Meritorious Service Award for Actions Above and Beyond the Call of Duty. As a police officer he learned firsthand how the law (as previously written in Alabama) left a huge gap regarding stalkers but had no idea how that gap would ultimately change his life forever. After his sister’s sudden and violent death in January of 1999, however, he instantly knew change was needed.
“It took me awhile,” he said, “to get through the mental fog after she was killed to write the new law. Then I had to figure out how to get it on the books.”
It was an arduous task. After researching every stalking-related law in every state, he wrote a first draft, cherry-picking the best of the best provisions from around the country. Then, he presented it to the Madison County District Attorney for editorial comment and review. Once satisfied that it was written in a manner that could be prosecuted, then it was off to the Alabama Congress where a longtime friend (and also former police officer), Mac MacCutcheon, had been elected. Mac picked up the mantle and presented the new law in the Spring of 2011 while Mr. Morris lobbied constantly, going door-to-door and explaining the purpose and necessity of the law to every single legislator personally. The law died on the floor in 2011 on Sine Die—the last day of the legislative session—due to democrat filibusters of every law on the agenda that day. Not to be thwarted again, Mac dropped the law on the floor for the second time on the opening of the 2012 Session where it passed unanimously with bipartisan support.
“My sister’s legacy of saving lives has been restored,” Mr. Morris said of the law in an interview with the press after the signing ceremony before driving back home and into obscurity.
Now residing in Lakeland, FL, Mr. Morris presently excels as a level three senior Equipment Qualification (EQ) contract engineer for TerraPower, LLC where he works with the team tasked with the creation and implementation of the EQ program for the company’s Natrium Project—a newly designed sodium cooled, fast reactor system.
He founded D. Brian Morris, LLC in 2016 in Florida where he has worked mostly as an independent contractor and consultant for small businesses. Prior to joining TerraPower, he worked with other key players in the nuclear power industry, including Curtiss Wright (where he branded and distributed the EQ PowerSuite© and increased segment revenue by 108%), and RCM Technologies, Incorporated. And he worked for NASA’s Biological and Physical Research Enterprise where he led a nationwide public outreach team across 7 NASA centers.
Mr. Morris has self-published two books and one poker-related “how-to” guide: “How to Wipe Your Dad’s Ass and Other Things His Doctor Won’t Tell You About Alzheimer’s,” “Little Wibble Wobbles at Home – Safety Lessons for Toddlers,” and “Winning Bets in Texas Hold’em.”
He earned his Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the University of Alabama in Huntsville, is a lifetime member of the NRA, and is a proud supporter of the Tim Tebow Foundation and Operation Underground Railroad organizations, both of which aim to end child sex trafficking.
The cornerstone of Mr. Morris’s success lies in the many mentors he has had throughout his lifetime, especially his father, who expected more of him than anyone else. Looking forward, he intends to live a quiet life working for TerraPower, mentoring and helping others as much as possible.
About Marquis Who’s Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who’s Who in America®, Marquis Who’s Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Marquis celebrates its 125th anniversary in 2023, and Who’s Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. Marquis® publications may be visited at the official Marquis Who’s Who® website at www.marquiswhoswho.com.
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