[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 86 (Tuesday, May 31, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E818]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





 IN REMEMBRANCE OF THE LIFE OF SARID CHAIM SHAHDAIAH AND QUINCY GEMAL 
                                WILLIAMS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 31, 2016

``What is a fear of living? It's being preeminently afraid of dying. It 
      is not doing what you came here to do, out of timidity and 
    spinelessness. The antidote is to take full responsibility for 
  yourself--for the time you take up and the space you occupy. If you 
  don't know what you're here to do, then just do some good.''--Maya 
                                Angelou

  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in remembrance and 
recognition of the life of Sarid Chaim Shahdaiah, and Quincy Gemal 
Williams two very accomplished young men who tragically lost their 
lives in a car accident on December 3, 2014.
  Many parents, teachers, neighbors and young people hope to find the 
kindness and dedication that these two young men exhibited regularly as 
sons, students, friends and incredibly well-rounded, commendable young 
men.
  The achievements these young men earned far exceed the highest 
expectations of any proud parent or community member in awe of 
exceptional young leaders in today's America.
  I understand as well, that in recognition and honor of his pursuit of 
excellence, several highly esteemed universities expressed interest in 
Sarid, hoping that he would join their respected student bodies.
  I was thoroughly impressed to learn that, through his dedication to 
his studies, Sarid earned a grade point average of 3.6 and was inducted 
into the National Society of High School Scholars.
  As a highly accomplished student-athlete, he served the U.S.A. 
International Football Team as Captain, Team Ambassador and starting 
linebacker, in addition to exalting fervent school pride, during his 
junior year as a highly valued teammate of the DeKaney Wildcats, his 
high school varsity track and football teams.
  Expanding the bounds of his requisite studies, he explored his 
curiosities for the world of science becoming a member of the Texas 
High School Engineering Career and Technology Council.
  I join his family and many admirers in genuinely celebrating Sarid's 
life and outstanding contributions.
  Quincy was a beaming light of talent and happiness.
  Affectionately called by his parents a ``Junior'', Quincy was one of 
the most outgoing, lovable kids that a parent could ever want.
  Quincy was one of the world's best comedians. He had the ability to 
make anyone who came into contact with him laugh.
  All who knew Quincy admired his prowess for presentation--deemed one 
of the ``sharpest'' brothers you'd meet.
  Although young in body Mr. Williams was old in song; He was a 
profound lover of any and all Motown Performers and would listen to 
them regularly.
  While at Andy DeKaney High School Quincy became branded as the ``Soul 
Brother'' of the football team.
  Quincy was also a highly valued teammate of the DeKaney Wildcats high 
school varsity track team.
  Quincy and Sarid were not only classmates and teammates, they were 
bonded and talented friends who earned the love and respect by all 
those who knew them.
  These two young men cultivated their efforts, positioning themselves 
to successfully matriculate in May of 2016; and, but for their ill-
fated passing, would by all accounts have celebrated their well-
deserved accomplishments with their families as a milestone achievement 
in their young lives.
  While I have no doubt they would have realized countless ambitions, 
we are left to accept that their dreams of immeasurable magnitude now 
rest with them.
  These young men worked hard and touched many lives with their 
ambition and dedicated commitments to their families, friends, school 
and their community.
  I cannot think of a more solemn manner of celebrating their life than 
to honor their efforts by bestowing upon their families recognition of 
the achievement for which they so ardently strode.
  In the words of Booker T. Washington ``character is power''.
  Character truly is power and that power was present in the lives of 
these prolific young men.
  Yes, their lives were cut short, but with what time they did have 
they effectively made the best of it.
  Heaven has truly gained a dynamic pair of angels, while young Sarid 
and Quincy's families lost their most promising stars.
  Please join me in a moment of silence for the life of Sarid Chaim 
Shahdaiah and Quincy Gemal Williams.

                          ____________________