[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 133 (Thursday, November 18, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2043]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    A TRIBUTE TO MR. STEVE F. AIKEN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE McINTYRE

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 17, 2004

  Mr. McINTYRE. Mr. Speaker, today I want to extend my warmest thanks 
and my most sincere best wishes to Mr. Steve F. Aiken who is retiring 
after 35 years of faithful service to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 
Wilmington District.
  Currently serving as Chief of the Programs Management Branch, Steve 
has had a distinguished career with the Corps of Engineers. A recipient 
of the Sustained Superior Performance Award and the Exceptional 
Performance Award several times, Steve has also received the District 
Humanitarian Award, the South Atlantic Division Program Management 
Chief of the Year award, and the Commander's Award for Civilian 
Service. Clearly, his record has been one of stellar performance and 
superb leadership. In addition, both my staff in Washington and in the 
Wilmington area have immensely enjoyed working with Steve and 
benefiting from his professional advice on some many key projects in 
our area. Each of them joins me in thanking you for being so accessible 
and informed. As the father of an Eagle Scout, I am also very grateful 
for his dedication and service to the Boy Scouts of America.
  When I think of Steve's commitment to the public good, the words 
``spirit, sacrifice, and service'' come to mind. Steve's positive 
spirit has always been to do the task at hand--a spirit that inspires 
others to achieve. Steve's sacrifice in time and commitment has been to 
make southeastern North Carolina a better place to live and work--a 
sacrifice that meant doing the right thing and not being concerned with 
who gets the credit.
  Pearl S. Buck once said, ``To serve is beautiful, but only if it is 
done with joy and a whole heart and free mind.'' There is no question 
that his years of service have been the epitome of this statement. 
Service to others has been the embodiment of his life--service that 
sets a path for others to follow and that we all should emulate.
  As he enters this next stage of life, I am confident that his talents 
and energy will continue to be of benefit to many. Through his 
commitment to family and community, a shining gem he will continue to 
be.
  Bart Giamatti, the former president of Yale University, said it well 
in 1987, ``Be mindful of what we share and must share; not the least of 
which is that each of our hopes for a full and decent life depends upon 
others hoping the same and all of us sustaining each other's hopes . . 
. If there is no striving for the good life for any of us, there cannot 
be a good life for any of us.''
  On behalf of the citizens of the Seventh Congressional District of 
North Carolina, thanks to Steve so much for the good life he has given 
to so many. Now, may he enjoy the same, and may God's strength, peace 
and joy be with him always.

                          ____________________