[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 81 (Wednesday, June 5, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E999-E1000]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      IN HONOR OF ZUBERI McKINNEY

                                 ______


                     HON. DOUGLAS ``PETE'' PETERSON

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 5, 1996

  Mr. PETERSON of Florida. Mr. Speaker, on March 6, 1996, Zuberi 
McKinney, the beloved son of the Sergeant Major of the Army and Mrs. 
Gene C. McKinney, died as a result of a tragic automobile accident in 
Tallahassee, FL. Zuberi was 18 years old and attending his first year 
of college at Florida A&M University. Sergeant Major and Mrs. McKinney 
are long-time residents of the Second Congressional District of Florida 
which I serve.
  I lost my 17-year-old son several years ago in an accident very 
similar to that experienced by the McKinney family and know only too 
well the pain a family suffers having sustained a loss of this 
magnitude. It is a pain that never goes away, however there is comfort 
in that loved one's memory.
  Today, Mr. Speaker, I wish to enter into the Record the words of 
Zuberi McKinney's parents as they celebrate Zuberi's 19th birthday. The 
composition speaks for itself in terms of compassion and grief, but it 
also speaks eloquently of a strong, close, loving family. A family 
whose bonds cannot be broken even in death.

                      In Honor of Zuberi McKinney

       Our Dear Son: You've heard us say to you many times how we 
     will always be proud of you and love you, NO MATTER WHAT.
       Today Dad and I were reminiscing about the Earthly life you 
     have had and we have had because of you.
       Sometime in September, 1976, we were told we would be 
     parents approximately May 10, 1977. Who would have believed 
     on May 10, in less than an hour from the time we arrived at 
     the Frankfurt Hospital you were born!

[[Page E1000]]

       We had researched our chosen names and daddy's name won 
     because of a boy baby.
       ZUBERI ASWAD. An African name from the Swahili language. 
     ZUBERI meaning STRONG and ASWAD meaning BLACK.
       You grew quickly and learned lots. The first song you 
     learned was, ``Yes Jesus Loves Me.''
       Looking back over eighteen years you accomplished a great 
     deal here on Earth. Your rambunctious sports years started at 
     age three when you played on the Rowdies Soccer Team. You 
     were skiing downhill at age five. You played football, 
     baseball, tennis, percussion instruments in the band, piano, 
     was on a swim team and played lots and lots of basketball, 
     ending up on the Heidelberg Varsity Basketball team.
       You were very inquisitive as a student and often challenged 
     teachers, including us as parents. That was good * * * at 
     times.
       You always made friends easily and always had lots of them 
     We always noticed the characteristics of the ones you chose 
     to keep as your CLOSEST friends. They were always mannerable, 
     had a great sense of humor, had a goal in life and most 
     importantly as you once said, ``Couldn't be broke all the 
     time.''
       You got to live a very adventurous life on two continents. 
     Visiting many different countries and states. Experiencing 
     almost every mode of travel possible. You always believed in 
     FUN. You had it and we enjoyed having fun with you.
       We are very unhappy right now because we miss your earthly 
     flesh and we cry out because of earthly feelings. But we 
     THANK GOD that He chose us to be your parents. We THANK GOD 
     that He chose you to prepare our place in Heaven. Because we 
     know you'll get the best. And we THANK GOD for this prayer:

     Now I lay me down to sleep
     I pray the Lord my soul to keep
     If I should die before I wake
     I pray the Lord my soul to take.

       You slept with us sixteen days before the Lord took your 
     soul to shine down on us from Heaven.
       The Guardian Angel we placed over your heart was kissed by 
     ours and we will wear it representing we will NEVER EVER part 
     from you.
       We'll talk to you daily from now until ETERNITY.
           Love you forever,
     Mom and Dad.

                          ____________________