[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 8]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 11226-11227]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING THE LIFE OF MR. ETHIME EMONINA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. TERRI A. SEWELL

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 14, 2011

  Ms. SEWELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of a great 
Alabamian and resident of the Seventh Congressional District, Mr. 
Ethime Emonina who passed away July 10, 2011 at the young age of 34. 
Mr. Emonina was a remarkable educator, mentor, musician and inspiration 
to all who encountered him.
  As a band instructor in the Tuscaloosa City Schools system, he 
inspired students to excel in their musical craft and to pursue their 
dreams of becoming musicians. He encouraged countless students to 
attend college, many on band scholarships. His unique style and spirit 
warmed the hearts of many, and his trademark smile could not help but 
solicit a smile in return.
  Born in Atlanta, Georgia, on March 18, 1977, to Mr. and Mrs. Godwin 
and Lucy Eldridge Emonina, he displayed an early love for music. His 
multitude of talent led him to play the trumpet and piano, among many 
other instruments.
  Mr. Emonina graduated from Central High School in Tuscaloosa, Alabama 
in 1995, where he left his mark as one of the greatest drum majors in 
the school's history. He went on to earn a B.A. degree from Jackson 
State University in 2000. Upon receiving this degree, Mr. Emonina began 
instructing the band at Eastwood Middle school where he remained until 
he was offered and accepted a position as director of bands at Paul W. 
Bryant High School in August 2007. He served in this position until his 
untimely death.
  Mr. Emonina, with his love of learning, had just completed and was 
awarded a Master's degree in Instructional Leadership at the University 
of West Alabama and was looking forward to applying his degree as an 
administrator in the Tuscaloosa City School System.
  He received numerous awards from childhood to adulthood for 
excellence in everything from school performance to instructing the 
band. Mr. Emonina was married to the former Chrishan Garraway and was 
the father of two children: Christian, age 9 and Ethan, age 2. He was 
the loving brother of Ovuke and Ventedric Emonina, and was a member of 
Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

[[Page 11227]]

  Over the years, Mr. Emonina has impacted the lives of many students 
in countless ways. He built a well-deserved reputation as a strict 
disciplinarian, mentor, teacher, motivator, father figure and friend. 
He was a true gift to us all and will be missed. His band has a saying, 
``Love the band and the band loves you back.'' Mr. Emonina surely loved 
the band and the band, the community, his family and the people of the 
Seventh Congressional District, the State of Alabama and this Nation 
will greatly miss him.
  Therefore I, Terri A. Sewell, Representative to the United States 
Congress from the 7th Congressional District of Alabama, do hereby 
honor the legacy of Mr. Ethime Emonina for his numerous contributions 
to the 7th Congressional District, the State of Alabama, and the 
Nation. I ask all to join me in honoring the life of a remarkable man 
and commending his many achievements on behalf of the State of Alabama.

                          ____________________