[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 54 (Tuesday, April 20, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E696]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      A TRIBUTE TO MATTHEW O'LEARY

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                          HON. CARRIE P. MEEK

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 20, 1999

  Mrs. MEEK of Florida: Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the 
late Matthew Paul O'Leary, who was born on April 20, 1977, in the state 
of Victoria, Australia. Matt O'Leary was an outstanding athlete who 
earned the title, ``Best and Fairest,'' on many occasions in the rugged 
sport of Australian Rules Football. He was an exemplary sportsman in 
golf, tennis, and cricket, as well. Physical training was a daily part 
of his happy life. Loving the outdoors, he accompanied his aunt, Helen 
Soulsby, in an extended bicycle tour across his home state.
  Highly intelligent, kind, and immensely popular, Matthew O'Leary 
lived life intensely and brought great joy to those who knew him. He 
loved to accompany his energetic uncle, Kevin Soulsby, in swimming in 
the irrigation channels and in agricultural work on the family farm. 
When Matt died at the age of seventeen in a tragic car accident on 
October 30, 1994, he left a glowing example of how to truly appreciate 
the gift of life.
  Matthew's funeral was attended by so many hundreds of people that 
even the church grounds were overflowing. In the moving funeral Mass, 
Matt's grandparents, aunts, uncles, and great-uncles all assisted in 
the celebration of his life by performing some of the readings, by 
singing, by distributing the Holy Eucharist, and by serving on the 
altar as acolytes.
  Matthew O'Leary was a credit to his upbringing. He was the second, 
beloved son of Margaret and Terri O'Leary, and was the devoted brother 
of Sean, Haydn, and Emily, all of whom he cherished dearly. He is 
survived by his loving grandmothers, Pat O'Leary and Alice Soulsby; his 
affectionate grandfather, Jack Soulsby; his sister-in-law, Renee 
O'Leary; and nephew, Ryan Matthew; as well as his many loving aunts and 
uncles. He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Owen O'Leary.
  Matthew O'Leary seized life and reveled in it. It is privilege to 
honor the memory of a young man who truly lived by the ``Golden Rule'' 
of treating others fairly.

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