[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 1 (Tuesday, January 27, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E20-E21]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO TONY GRIFFIN

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. FRED UPTON

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 27, 1998

  Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I rise today to 
pay tribute to a great journalist, a community leader, a dear friend, 
but most importantly of all, a father and beloved husband.
  Tony Griffin succumbed to cancer on December 30, 1997 only a few 
weeks after being diagnosed. It is rare that a single voice makes such 
an impact on so many people, in so many different ways. But Tony 
Griffin was just such an outstanding individual.
  As news and public affairs director at WMUK in Kalamazoo, Michigan, 
he was all a reporter should be--aggressive, accurate and fair. An 
alumnus of Western Michigan University, Tony returned home to his alma 
mater to work at the university's National Public Radio station. He 
would have celebrated his 25th service anniversary with the station in 
March of this year.
  Under his direction, WMUK won a wall full of prestigious awards, 
including recognition by the Voice of America, Michigan Associated 
Press, the Public Radio News Directors, and the Michigan Bar 
Association.
  He built his career and reputation as a dogged, shrewd journalist. A 
healthy dose of skepticism coupled with voracious appetite for the 
truth wrapped around a sharp wit and always generous laugh. But the 
Tony we all knew and loved was more than just a journalist.
  Tony took time-out on the other side of the microphone to serve his 
community. He lent his enormous skills and energies to the local Red 
Cross, Van Buren County Community Corrections, and a host of other 
organizations dedicated to improving the quality of life in the 
Kalamazoo area. He truly cared about the community he represented.
  Tony's leadership and dedication will be missed in each of these 
roles--but not nearly

[[Page E21]]

as much as in his most important one. Tony leaves behind a wonderful 
wife and beautiful daughter. Over the years, my family grew close to 
Tony's. Our daughters are just a few years apart. We spent a great deal 
of time talking about the joys of fatherhood and our hopes and dreams 
for our daughters.
  Shortly before Tony passed away, the two of us had an unforgettable 
discussion at his bedside. But as it became painfully clear that the 
end was near, Tony kept his love of life and sense of humor until the 
very end.
  He explained to me what would happen if all politicians and leaders 
had received the same diagnosis he had. It would be amazing how quickly 
the mountains we've built between ourselves would come down. We'd 
realize that the important things--family, community, friends--really 
outshine everything else. Tony's words are an important lesson for us 
all.
  His memory will continue to live in each of us and grow stronger as 
the days go by. The greatest tribute we can pay to this man is to care 
for our community, to fulfill our civic duties, love and support our 
families, and to understand his lesson.
  Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues today to share with me in 
recognizing the accomplishments of a dear friend, Tony Griffin.

                          ____________________