[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 32 (Thursday, March 13, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E478]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO MATHEW J. GABERTY

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. DAVID E. BONIOR

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 12, 1997

  Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to my good 
friend Mathew Gaberty. He is being honored on Wednesday, March 12, 
1997, at The Daughters of Isabella, Queen of the Skies Circle No. 683 
annual testimonial dinner in Mt. Clemens. This event is held each year 
to recognize a community leader for outstanding service and to raise 
funds for charity.
  Taking an active role in one's community is a responsibility we all 
share, but few fulfill. Mat has dedicated much of his life to this 
endeavor. He found the Mat Gaberty Heart Fund in 1981 with the aim of 
fighting heart disease. The Mat Gaberty Annual Gold Classic has become 
the largest single day fundraiser to combat heart disease. The renowned 
Mat Gaberty Heart Institute of Mount Clemens General Hospital was 
opened in 1989 and has become a major center for open heart surgery. 
His time, talents, and energy are appreciated by all of us. I thank Mat 
for all his efforts and commend him for his good work.
  Mat Gaberty has more than fulfilled his civic responsibilities. He 
was elected for four terms to the Macomb County Board of Commissioners. 
He served 11 years on the Macomb County Parks and Recreation Committee, 
and 9 years on the Macomb County Retirement Board. He has also served 
as a Macomb County Commissioner, 8 years as chairman and 5 years as 
vice chairman. He was cofounder of the Urban County Road Association 
and served as chairman of the Inter-County Road Commission. I deeply 
admire his strong values and outstanding example of civic involvement.
  I applaud the Daughters of Isabella for recognizing Mat Gaberty. He 
has provided leadership to our community and I know he is proud to be 
honored by this fine organization. On behalf of the Daughters of 
Isabella, Queen of the Skies Circle No. 683, I urge my colleagues to 
join me in saluting Mathew Gaberty.

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