[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 147 (Thursday, November 14, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2016]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           MAURICE DEAN HENNESSEE: AN EXTRAORDINARY AMERICAN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES A. BARCIA

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 13, 2002

  Mr. BARCIA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Maurice 
Hennessee of Clio, Michigan. Maurice has used his retirement years to 
make a difference in the world in which we all live and he has become 
an important component in spreading democracy and assisting in the 
infrastructure and educational development of the African nation of 
Nigeria.
  Maurice first served his country while serving as an enlisted man 
with the United States Air Force's 328th Air Fighter Air Defense Group 
during the Korean War. Following his tour of duty, he served four years 
in the Air Force Reserve. He then returned home and began his 38-year 
career with General Motors Corporation, Buick Motor Division in Flint, 
Michigan.
  However, it was after his retirement from General Motors and during 
his recovery from experimental surgery to repair a seriously injured 
foot that Maurice found the path that would lead him to Nigeria. 
Although he had no experience in missionary work or fund-raising, 
Maurice joined Dr. Moses Akpanado's effort to use education to improve 
the lives of impoverished and disadvantaged Nigerians. Today, there are 
more than 1000 students who attend the Obong Christian Education System 
deep in the jungle of Nigeria thanks to those efforts.
  Moreover, Maurice and others have expanded their work to include 
infrastructure improvements and other advancements to provide a 
healthier and more civilized environment for those living in remote 
Nigerian communities. There are untold thousands of villagers who now 
enjoy clean, fresh water as a result of Maurice's determination to dig 
deep wells. Villages now have power lines, electrical generators, 
libraries and dormitories all because Maurice and others helped 
persuade fellow Americans to offer their financial support.
  In villages throughout Nigeria, Maurice Hennessee has received many 
honors. Important buildings on a college campus in that nation bear his 
name. He has been named Honorary Chief in several villages. In 
addition, his family has shown him their love and support by becoming 
involved in his efforts, traveling with him on multiple occasions to 
Africa, as well as supporting other mission activities in Kenya and 
Central America with their personal involvement. We owe a debt of 
gratitude to Maurice, his wife, Earline, and their children, Trina, 
Gary and Larry, for setting such a fine example of American goodwill.
  Finally, Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in paying 
tribute to Maurice and the entire Hennessee family for their dedication 
in spreading democracy and Christian charity throughout the world and 
for exemplifying how otherwise ordinary Americans can achieve 
extraordinary results.

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