CONGRESSIONAL RECORD— Extensions of Remarks E26 HON
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E26 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks January 21, 2004 1987: Baghdad, Iraq; Kuwait City; Taif, and basketball when you played but as he little girl. Once I was ‘‘cleared’’ you wel- Saudi Arabia: An inspection delegation to re- told his stories, he told the grandchildren comed me with open arms. view the security of U.S. forces in the Per- not to do what he did. When he watched the On my first trip to Washington I was in sian Gulf during the Iran-Iraq war. Most no- Red Sox and Patriots blow a game was so awe of how many of the police officers, wait table was a vigorous session in Baghdad with comical. If they pulled it out and won he staff and regular people knew Nick and he the Foreign Minister of Iraq, Tariq Aziz, on would say ‘‘there’s not a better team. Aren’t knew them. He always treated them with the Iraq’s use of chemical weapons in its war they great!’’ same respect as he did the Head of State. with Iran. Grandson Jon: ‘‘No bird soars too high, if it Nick you were a ‘‘class act.’’ 1988: As an emissary of the U.S. State De- soars with its own wings’’—This could mean Nick, I remember the birth of David. Once partment, Nick engaged in a private dia- so many different things to many different again you were sharing your life for others. logue with Greek Prime Minister Andreas people but it only means one thing when it I know when you called from the Navy ship Papandreou, providing a framework that comes to my mind. Everything that my you were so proud. David and you developed produced the current U.S.-Greece agreement grandfather taught and showed me in my life a very special relationship. David idolized on military bases. comes down to one thing. You will be most you and relished the opportunity to spend 1989: Appointment to the House Select successful in life if you do things on your time with ‘‘Pap.’’ Alexis, what can I say. She Committee on Intelligence, performing over- own and with some guidance of people who is the only one who could convince the sight of the CIA and other elements of the are close to you. Words cannot express how former Chairman of the Armed Services’ In- intelligence community. Nick’s input: to re- much love I will continue to have for my telligence Committee to be a student who quire that intelligence be accessible to the grandfather and how proud I am to say that needed to complete his ‘‘dot to dot’’ assign- U.S. forces deployed and at risk. my grandfather was Nicholas Mavroules. ment. Both David and Alexis loved their During this time, he was also engaged in Daughter Gail: Calling the boys over to Papou. You were their hero and both of them the significant legislative work on national your house when your clicker didn’t work, will truly miss you. security that included: remote controls, setting up your phone, TV, Nick, I thank you for the opportunity to The 1986 Defense Reorganization—the voice mail, teaching you all your buttons in marry your daughter. I knew from the start Goldwater-Nichols Act—that fundamentally your new car, and how proud you were of that I could never be the number one man in restructured military command and con- them because they had the knowledge of Brenda’s life. That spot was reserved for you. trol—so that troops serving in high-threat technology. How you would call us everyday I can only try to live up to your standards. combat and peacekeeping missions—would from D.C. to check on us and how you would I will try my best to take care of your have a responsive and dynamic military know from the tone of our voices if we were daughter and grandchildren. chain of command. fine or not. You knew us like books. Warning Granddaughter Alexis: Papou was Alexis’s Implementation of the Packard Commis- the Capital Security and House Members favorite student. He was her ‘‘dot to dot’’ sion recommendations to reform Pentagon when your grandchildren came to visit. How champ. Alexis told Papou when he came acquisition practices. they would run through the halls going into home from the hospital she would allow him Legislation that limited the deployment of other members, offices until they found you. to be the principal. Alexis and Papou had a nuclear ballistic missiles, and ensuring that Discussing at dinner and everyone taking special code, on every hour Alexis had to missile defense technology be treaty compli- turns including you and Ma. What was the give Papou a kiss. Papou these kisses will ant. best and worst part of everyone’s day. How never stop. When you feel tiny lips on your Funding for the Navy’s F–18 fighter, pow- you loved that. I will forever miss your kind- cheek, it’s me still loving you. You will al- ered by GE engines from Lynn. Twenty years ness, your smile, the warmth and softness of ways live on in my heart Papou. I love you. later the F–18 remains as the backbone of your hands, your guidance, loyalty, your Grandson David: You helped me and you Naval Aviation; love and affection, support but most of all guided me through good and bad. I remember And, the Small Disadvantaged Business being our champion and tower of strength. when I had social studies homework and it Act that allowed more American citizens to You taught us values to live by. In our lives was about the government. I would call compete in government contracting. you were bigger than life, you made us so Papou and ask him and he would help me. Throughout his service in Congress, Nick proud and we will always live in your ex- We used to hang out together, talk about his would earn the respect and trust of his col- traordinary legacy. You’re our mentor and past, talk about the economy, and why leagues. From Massachusetts: Senators Ted now our guardian angel. I love and thank things happen. I loved spending time to- Kennedy, Paul Tsongas and John Kerry, you with all of my heart which you took a gether and you don’t know how much I loved Speaker Tip O’Neill, Joe Moakley, Ed Mar- piece of with you and hope it lives within it. You were my best buddy and my pal. I key and Jim Shannon, Barney Frank and you as your soul will with me. will miss you and I will cherish you forever Joe Kennedy. And other Members of Con- Daughter Brenda: I will always treasure and ever. I love you Papou. gress, including Sam Nunn, Barry Gold- these special times we shared. There wasn’t (Conclusion) water, John Glenn, Les Aspin, Sam Stratton, anything that we didn’t discuss. You always Nicholas Mavroules left us on Christmas Bill Nichols and Beverly Byron. His col- said the right things. You were my dad, hero, morning. We will remember him. And, we leagues in Congress would conclude this and friend. God needed an angel in heaven, will miss him. But, we can all find consola- about Nick Mavroules: He was always a gen- and he took you, but he also took a special tion in an angel’s Christmas morning bless- tleman. He was always well prepared. And, part of me. I wish everyone had the oppor- ing found in the Gospel of Luke: he always kept his word. tunity to be blessed with two beautiful par- ‘‘Glory to God in the highest, But, no matter the challenge in Congress, ents like I was. I will miss you buddy and And on earth peace to men on whom his the highlight of each week would be Nick’s will love you always. favor rests.’’ return home to Mary and the girls. From his Daughter Debbie: You were my dad and my With God’s blessing, we say peace to our daughters and grandchildren came these tower of strength. When I was weak you were friend Nick Mavroules. comments: my strength. You were my sports buddy Grandson Michael: He told me stories of every week during a Pats game or a Red Sox f himself in my place to lift my spirit; He game, and if we weren’t watching them to- HONORING THERESA MARCELLA never said, ‘‘No, Forget it, don’t bother’’ or gether I would be on the phone with you at (PALOMARES) FUENTES anything to that degree when I told him least five times. I started every morning by about my goals in my life I wish to go by; hearing you answer the phone. ‘‘Hello Deb, Any time I ever spent with him was always what are you doing Dad? Having coffee and HON. GRACE F. NAPOLITANO a good time no matter what the situation or toast and reading the papers by starting with OF CALIFORNIA event was; You were always there for me no the sports section first.’’ You were a father IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES matter what the situation was. The worst to my children who adored you. You fought thing in my life was to see you go. I love you tooth and nail for us and always said no one Wednesday, January 21, 2004 with all my heart and I always will. will ever abuse you and the kids again. What Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise Grandson Matthew: Taking me on my a price you paid for our freedom.