[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 131 (Tuesday, November 16, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1989]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF ANDRE MARIE CROOKE DYAR

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF MILLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 16, 2004

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, it is with a sad but rejoicing 
heart that I speak today about an extraordinary woman, Andre Marie 
Crooke Dyar, who was taken to her eternal home in Heaven on October 8, 
2004.
  I became friends with Andre when I first ran for State Representative 
in 1998. She was one of the most loyal people I knew. I am a better 
person for knowing Andre and the world is a better place because of her 
life.
  Andre had a special love for children both born and in the womb. For 
a number of years she worked in the neonatal intensive care nursery at 
Sacred Heart Hospital, helping premature newborn babies get a non-
compromised start in life. Continuing to have a positive influence on 
children's lives, Andre could always be found volunteering at Sunday 
school on Wednesday nights and at Vacation Bible School during the 
summer.
  From the moment the law allowed the taking of innocent life, Andre's 
faith in God incited her passion for politics. Her first political 
campaign was in 1976, helping Ronald Reagan move from the California 
Governor's Mansion to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C. 
Unfortunately, her disabling disease made the 2002 elections her last.
  In our local community of Northwest Florida, Andre was active in 
numerous civic organizations, from participating as an active member to 
Chairman of the Board. She spent many hours serving on the Board of the 
Northwest Florida Water Management District, the Escambia County 
Republican Executive Committee, the Center for Independent Living, and 
Escambia Federated Republican Women's Club. Last year, the Federated 
Women's Club presented Andre with an Honorary Lifetime Membership 
award, the first of its kind ever presented.
  Andre was overflowing with life and had the drive and dedication to 
move a mountain despite her physical challenges. The vast majority of 
people would have given up and turned resentful, but she kept going and 
always wanted to do something more, to help somebody else.
  May God rest her soul and continue to bless her family.

                          ____________________