[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 128 (Tuesday, September 17, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1622]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO DEMOS MEGALOUDIS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL BILIRAKIS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 17, 1996

  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, honor is always most gratifying when it 
comes from those who know us best. I rise today to honor a very close 
friend, Mr. Demos Megaloudis, who was taken from us this past 
Wednesday, September 11, 1996. He was a man whose life was an example 
for us all.
  As a husband to his wife, Stella, and father to his son, Gary and 
daughter, Chris he was a loving, committed family man, who clearly put 
them first.
  As a businessman he established a name associated with honor and 
service, not personal gain.
  Within the community, although well known, he was not a sophisticated 
man, aloof with self importance. He was a man who showed deep care and 
concern for his fellow man. Seeing needs in the community he was 
willing to step forward--but not for recognition.
  Many, many have benefited from Demo Megaloudis' personal investment 
in their lives--from the crippled and burned children helped by the 
Shriners' Hospital, to the children given love and care by the Elk's 
Harry Anna Crippled Children's Home, to those in need of the Lion's 
Club projects for the blind and those of poor eyesight, to the local 
Tarpon Springs residents of our African-American community--he was 
always there to roll up his sleeves to do whatever he could.
  When his father died at the same age Our Lord decided to take Demos 
from us, he gave up his dreams of going to college to run the family 
cleaning and dry cleaning business. But that dream stayed with him and 
instilled in him the importance of education. Thus, Demos worked hard 
as vice chairman of the St. Petersburg Junior College Board of 
Trustees. He knew the importance of education as life's stepping stone 
for young people.
  I personally have lost as fine and loyal a friend as any man could 
hope to have. Our area and the world are better places for his having 
lived. His legacy of love, kindness, and purity of heart will live on 
and hopefully guide all of us.
  My Demos, we will miss you. May your memory be eternal.

                          ____________________