[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 5 (Tuesday, January 29, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E38]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 A TRIBUTE TO MATT GREENE OF BIRMINGHAM

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. EARL F. HILLIARD

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 29, 2002

  Mr. HILLIARD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer a tribute to a 
fallen youth from my hometown of Birmingham, Matt Greene. Born Matthew 
James Greene, Matt was the youngest son of Ken and Barbara Greene and 
the brother of Michael and Laura. Matt was only 17 years old when he 
tragically died in the early hours of January 12, 2002, at his home in 
the presence of his family. He was only 30 days shy of reaching his 
18th birthday of February 15, which he shared with his twin brother 
Michael.
  Matt was an exceptional young man. He was handsome, tall and a little 
on the skinny side with a keen interest in having fun. He had a quick 
sly smile that melted the hearts of girls and guys alike. He always had 
a twinkle in his eye when he smiled, and had a zest for life that 
defied rhyme or reason. He was the Master of his own destiny who loved 
to hunt and fish and reveled in telling a joke. He had great tolerance 
for all people and all beliefs and his one goal in life was to be loved 
and liked. He truly had no enemies or malice toward any people. He 
loved R.&B. music much to the amusement of his friends and frequently 
to the annoyance of his family, and especially his brother whose 
bedroom reverberated with the bass of Matt's music into the early hours 
of most mornings.
  The death of Matt is very tragic because for just a few moments, Matt 
lost sight of his dreams, his future, his family and his friends. Matt 
forgot the past, denied the future and only focused on the NOW and the 
pain, which NOW contained. Matt died in an accident that no one had the 
power to prevent and for which no one should feel guilt. There is no 
one and nothing to blame, but the blinding light of pain, despair and 
misplaced loneliness. I say misplaced loneliness, for Matt had many 
friends, old and young, male and female, rich and poor, black and 
white. At Matt's funeral mass, over 1,200 people who loved him gathered 
together and prayed to God for Matt's eternal soul.
  It has been said, ``wishing on last night's star will not change 
tomorrow's dawn.'' However, instead of succumbing to the demons of 
anger and self-doubt, Matt's family and friends are turning instead to 
the balm of God's healing and understanding. All of Matt's friends will 
miss his crooked smile and his frequent requests of ``Can you do me a 
favor, man?'' His teachers and fellow students at his high school will 
miss his antics, and the Rite-Aid Pharmacy where he worked has lost a 
valuable team player and morale builder. Matt's family and loved ones 
miss his embrace, his kisses, his loyalty, and his unyielding love. 
Those people who love Matt have told me they will wait a lifetime to 
join him again. May the Congress, by these remarks, offer comfort and 
solace for Matt's family and friends.

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