[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 14 (Tuesday, January 29, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E101]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                TRIBUTE TO MR GLENN ``OMODIENDE'' REITZ

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROBERT A. BRADY

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 29, 2008

  Mr. BRADY of Philadelphia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
life, legacy, and accomplishments of Mr. Glenn ``Omodiende'' Reitz. 
Glenn Reitz was a scholar, teacher, and socio-political activist, whose 
life and life's work is a testament of one's ability to triumph over 
adversity, and transcend race, class, and gender in order to actualize 
a more humanist conception of community. His African name ``Omodiende'' 
means ``the child returns''; Glenn's zealous approach to life befits 
his given name.
  Glenn was born in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin on April 7, 1964. He served 
in the U.S. Navy from 1982 to 1994 when he was medically retired. He 
then enrolled at Temple University in Philadelphia, PA, where he earned 
a bachelor of arts degree and a master of arts degree in African 
American Studies. Given his ultimate search for truth, his love of 
knowledge, and his innovative and ingenious nature, it is no surprise 
that at the time of his death, Mr. Reitz was in the process of pursuing 
a PhD in African American Studies.
  Glenn lived with HIV/AIDS for over 18 years, and in that time created 
a legacy that can never be replicated. Rejecting his physical condition 
as a debilitating force, Glenn developed his mind in ways that placed 
him in a rare class of human beings who do not seek knowledge just for 
knowledge's sake, but to transcend normal social constructs of race and 
gender, to transform status quo, and to positively alter our 
communities. It goes without saying that Glenn was not a genius for 
genius' sake.
  Combining his ontology with social activism made Glenn a pillar in 
his Philadelphia Community. I know that he would find my submission of 
remarks to the Congressional record in his honor quite ironic and 
entertaining given the fact that he was very critical of government and 
many government policies. Even though I know he would debate (and 
possibly contest) this assertion, I believe that Glenn was the ultimate 
example of a true American precisely because he challenged and 
critiqued our system and policy of governance; he truly believed that 
status quo was never acceptable; that things could always be improved. 
Glenn's social philanthropy is evidence of his convictions. He worked 
with the City to develop a safe playground for his North Philadelphia 
neighborhood, worked with prison programs to directly address the needs 
of those who are incarcerated, mentored countless young people, taught 
and participated in many community educational programs on HIV/AIDS, 
and taught a class on Death and Dying. In 43 brief years, he 
accomplished what many never achieve in a lifetime.
  Glenn departed this life on December 14, 2007 and will be sorely 
missed by his family, friends, loved ones, and community. His 
phenomenal human spirit should be an inspiration to us all.

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