Nick Smith

Mr. Speaker, I rise on behalf of all of us in the United States House of Representatives to pay tribute to several individuals who have contributed significantly to the operation and success of the 108th Congress of the United States.

I take this opportunity to especially recognize and thank the members of my personal staff for their outstanding work and dedication in serving the constituents of the Seventh Congressional District of Michigan. I want to commend their exemplary service in helping citizens, especially when the federal government bureaucracy was bogged down or hadn't addressed the real needs of the people. I praise my staff for their efforts to analyze and develop legislation that will make our country stronger and better in the future.

The individuals I pay tribute to today are: Keith Brown, Jennifer Burg, Dan Byers, Mary Christ, Soren Dayton, David Finger, Alan Knapp, Ruth Mayday, Greg Moore, Ammani Nagesh, Jared Page, David Rawson, Lindy Salem, Peter Saling, Kurt Schmautz, Ed Sharkey, Heather Smith, Priscilla Smith, Lee VanWychen, and Wendy Wieringa, and Gary Wolfram.

I applaud my staff's commitment to serving the people of this great nation and I extend my heartfelt thanks to them for their insight and hard work. It is individuals such as these that make members of Congress successful, enabling us to perform and serve in the best possible manner. On behalf of the United States Congress, I wish each of them the very best and every success in all their future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, it is with sadness that I rise today in honor of Dr. Henry (Harry) Moniba, former Vice President of Liberia. Dr. Moniba died suddenly on November 23, 2004, as a result of an automobile accident.

He was born in Liberia on October 22, 1937. Dr. Moniba earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Education in 1964, a Masters degree in Secondary Education from SUNY, participated in a post-Masters program in International Relations and European Studies at NYU, and as a Fulbright Scholar, earned a Ph.D. in International Relations and African Studies at Michigan State University.

He began his professional career as an educator. A strong believer in the power of a good education, Dr. Moniba once stated: ``If you think education is expensive, then, try ignorance''. He served in various capacities in the education field, from classroom teacher to Director of Research at the Ministry of Education in Monrovia, Liberia.

Dr. Moniba had a long and distinguished career in public service. He served as First Secretary and Consul for the Embassy of Liberia in Washington, D.C., and Ottawa, Canada from 1976-1980; from 1981-1984, he served as Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for European Affairs, Liberia; he was the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Liberia, to the Court of St. James in London, England, the Vatican, and the Sovereign Military Order Malta, in Rome from 1981- 1984. In 1984, he was appointed Vice President of the Interim National Assembly Government of Liberia, and in 1985, elected to the office of Vice President of Liberia. In 1994, he was awarded the Human Rights Award from the Liberian Human Rights Chapter.

Dr. Moniba loved his country, and worked tirelessly to establish peace and prosperity for Liberia. He understood well the true role of a politician in a democratic society, and said: ``The objective of the good politician cannot, therefore, be the acquisition of power for its own sake or at and cost. What he wants is a healthy political environment in which he and his fellow citinens can lead a fulfilling life.'' At the time of his death, Dr. Moniba was one of the leading candidates for the 2005 Liberian presidential eption.

I join his family and his many admirers throughout the world in mourning his passing. May his tireless commitment to his homeland and the advancement of peace and democracy in Liberia stand as a timeless memorial to him. May God bless him and his family, and may he rest in peace.

Mr. Speaker, football is a great American tradition. In Michigan, this tradition is personified by the Lumen Christi Titans, who on November 27, 2004, won their 7th State Championship Title at the Pontiac Silverdome in Pontiac, Michigan.

I rise today to honor the 2004 Lumen Christi Titans: Tyler Aldridge, Josh Badall, Alex Belfey, Eddie Bellers, Michael Berkemeier, Andrew Biskupski, Mike Blair, Blake Brannick, Patrick Brogan, Corey Burris, Mike Calderone, B.J. Carter, Conor Coffman, Daniel Coolbaugh, Blake Davis, Trevor Elinski, Eric Ewing, Andy Flippo, Ken Gallant, Golden Gibson, Ben Gier, John Gurriero, Evan Hagan, Andy Horning, Luke Jarzynka, Corey Johnson, Kyle Johnstone, Doug Karasek, Guy Kennedy, Brent Kuntz, Stephen Kutyna, Ryan LaMarre, Mark Lathers, Marty Lozier, Nick Lefere, Dan Lusty, Nick Maes, Joe Marcantel, Trevor Markovich; Sean Miller, Tyler Moran, Josh McCormick, Ben Neville, Tony Panici, Michael Patchak, Brad Polnasek, Ken Powers, Marc Powers, Ryan Powers, Joe Putra, John Riley, Phil Riley, Kent Richardson, Sean Richardson, Michael Risner, Jon Ryan, Jeremy Sauter, Brent Schaefer, Corey Skinner, Abram Soper, Alex Soper, Kyle Strong, Kelly Thompson, Sean Thompson, Brandon Vinson, Derek Walker, Mark Warfield, Chris Weeks, Matt Weeks, Terrell Willis, Terrence Willis, Jeff Wojtusik; Managers Coley Crowley and Christopher Gaddy, Trainer Todd Sparks and Assistant Trainer Sarah Duffey.

These fine young men were coached by Head Coach Herb Brogan, and Assistant Coaches Mike Armeli, Sean Brogan, Ken Dillon, Ted Cole, Dick Corser, Dan Crowley, Jason Idziak, Pete Lefere, Joff Marcantel, Matt Reesor, Frank Slaby, Tim Sullivan, Jerry Sykes, Mike Tash, and Joe Williams.

Led by Team Captains Doug Karasek, Luke Jarzynka, and B.J. Carter, these 72 young men worked diligently throughout the season to achieve this laudable goal. Despite a difficult start to the season, the Titans continued to work as a team and won 9 consecutive games to win the title. The Titans have been Division V State champs four of the last five years, and have won three of those titles with no points scored against them. The Titans are the only team in Michigan that has won more than six State titles without losing a single State championship title game.

This honor is also a testament to the parents, students, and community who have supported and influenced this team and this program throughout the years. I am proud to join with their many admirers, friends and fans in extending my highest praise and congratulations to the 2004 Lumen Christi Titans for their outstanding football season.