[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 101 (Thursday, July 1, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1272]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING MR. MATTHEW LEONARD SIMMONS, JR.

                                  _____
                                 

                         HON. KENDRICK B. MEEK

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, July 1, 2010

  Mr. MEEK of Florida. Madam Speaker, today I rise to pay tribute to 
the life and legacy of the late Mr. Matthew Leonard Simmons, Jr., a 
constituent in the congressional district I represent. It is with both 
profound sadness, but also an enduring sense of gratitude that I 
recognize him for the tremendous inspiration he provided to the South 
Florida community.
  Mr. Simmons was born on January 31, 1956 in Miami, Florida to Mrs. 
Blanche Simmons and the late Mr. Matthew L. Simmons, Sr. He was a 
product of the Miami-Dade Public School System and graduated from Miami 
Jackson Senior High School.
  Soon thereafter, Mr. Simmons faithfully and patriotically served his 
country by joining the United States Army's 82nd Airborne Division. He 
attained the rank of sergeant before being honorably discharged in 
1979.
  Mr. Simmons was blessed with a loving family who took pleasure in 
every aspect of his life and his interests. I offer my heartfelt 
condolences to the Simmons family.
  Madam Speaker, I ask you and all the members of this esteemed 
legislative body to join me in recognizing the extraordinary life and 
accomplishments of Mr. Matthew Leonard Simmons, Jr. He will be missed 
by all who knew him, and I appreciate this opportunity to pay tribute 
to him before the United States House of Representatives. While he will 
indeed be missed, his legacy, as well as the outstanding contributions 
he made to South Florida and our nation as a United States Army veteran 
will live on.

                          ____________________