[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 63 (Monday, May 18, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E878]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO MATTHEW CWIKLA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DAVID E. BONIOR

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 18, 1998

  Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Speaker, on January 1, 1998 the town of Mt. Clemens, 
Michigan lost a resident who in just sixteen short years made a great 
impact on the community. On New Years Day, Matthew Cwikla went to his 
room to finish his homework before watching the Rose Bowl game. His 
family found him a short time later. Matt died suddenly from Viral 
Myocarditis, a rare virus which attacks the heart muscle. In the time 
following Matt's death, his family was joined by more than 1500 people 
offering their support and condolences.
  Matt was an extremely special young man who affected all who knew 
him. He was president of his junior class at Mt. Clemens High School 
and a member of the National Honor Society and the Varsity Tennis Team. 
Matt was also a manager of the student run record store, Downtown 
Sound, in Mt. Clemens where I had the opportunity to meet and come to 
know him. He was extremely professional and kind and made a lasting 
impression on me.
  I also had the chance to work with Matt last summer when he 
participated in my district's Congressional Student Leadership Summit 
where students from across the district come together to participate in 
a mock session of Congress. This summit brings out some of the best and 
brightest students in my district and Matt was certainly one of them.
  In Matt's memory, the Cwikla family has established the Matthew J. 
Cwikla Memorial Scholarship to financially assist other bright stars 
from Mt. Clemens High School. To Matthew's parents, John and Cynthia; 
his sisters, Julie and Katherine; and all of his friends and family, 
Matthew was a special person who will never be forgotten. So many of us 
consider ourselves fortunate to have crossed his path.

                          ____________________