[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 12078]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


      NATALIA R. HORAK: A DAZZLING STAR IN A BRIEF SHINING MOMENT

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                          HON. JAMES A. BARCIA

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 27, 2002

  Mr. BARCIA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me 
in honoring and remembering Natalia R. Horak, the 16-year-old daughter 
of Fritz and Lucy Horak of Bay City, Michigan. Tali died last year 
after suffering from bacterial meningitis, a disease that all too often 
takes the lives of our young people. Sadly, Tali's time on earth was 
cut short, but her life was beautifully spent in the few years she was 
among us. She has left an indelible mark on our community.
  Tali loved her family and her many dear friends as fully and as 
ardently has she embraced life . Her zest for living, her enthusiasm 
and her exuberant personality captured the heart of all those fortunate 
enough to have fallen under her enchanting spell. A mere smile from 
Tali, something she did often, was enough to uplift and buoy the lowest 
of spirits. In fact, her teammates on the swim and golf teams 
constantly looked to her for encouragement and inspiration.
  A graduate of Saint James Elementary School and Holy Family Middle 
School, Tali was a sophomore at Bay City Western High School. As a 
freshman, she was a varsity letter winner in swimming and golf. On the 
Saturday before she died, Tali swam her best time ever in the 100-yard 
butterfly and the 100-yard breaststroke at a Saginaw Valley Conference 
swim meet. She also was a superior student, an avid downhill skier and 
a wonderfully gifted young woman.
  When Tali passed away, the loss for her parents, Fritz and Lucy, her 
brother, Frederick, her sister, Marisa, and the rest of her family 
certainly was unimaginably devastating. The hurt felt by her friends 
and teammates also must have seemed unbearable. The passage of time 
does not repair the holes in the hearts of Tali's friends and family. 
However, remembering Tali as she lived allows her bright light to shine 
for those fortunate enough to have experienced her love and friendship.
  Finally, Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in remembering 
the bright light that was Tali Horak. I have faith that Tali's star 
continues to shine brightly over us and that her exuberant spirit will 
always uplift and invigorate those who honor her memory. As we look up 
at the sky on the Fourth of July to watch the razzle and dazzle of the 
magnificent fireworks display in Tali's honor, let us recall her brief 
but radiant life and be thankful her beauty graced our lives.

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