Who is André Maurice?
André Maurice Veit was born on March 31, 1982, and was the first cousin of Timothy William Prolific Veit Jones. The two boys met when Timothy was three years old when Andre's family returned from living on a U.S. Naval station in Iceland. From the moment they met, the boys frequently fought over everything from olives to insults. As the two youngest grandchildren of the Veit family, they shared much in common, ranging from a love of sports to a love of the arts. As an only child, Timothy regarded all of his cousins as siblings, and despite the frequent fistfights, verbal jabs, and disagreements with Andre, the two grew quite close; during family trips they were inseparable.
On May 24, 1994, at the age of 12, André drowned saving the life of his 10 year old friend.
Why André Maurice Press?
André was a gifted athlete, dancer, and volunteered his time as a pre-teen to his church's youth group community service program. It was these elements of his cousin's life that first inspired Timothy to become active in his own community, and to use his developing talents and private school education for a higher purpose. The concept behind AMP is to give exposure to the voices of authors who seek to leave a legacy in this world more poignant than fame or glamour. Each AMP artist has a unique story, and a desire to utilize their talents artistically and otherwise to inspire change in this world.
The best way to describe the soul of AMP is in the words of it's founder. Below is a reposting of Timothy's blog reflecting on the life of his cousin.
May 24, 2007
13 years.
André Maurice Veit
March 31, 1982 -- May 24, 1994
I have officially declared today a turning point in my life. Although while writing the date on the hotel's whiteboard this morning at 4am did cause me to pause with a shudder glassy eyed and say, "oh shit, today's the 24th", this is the first time in 13 years that May 24th will not debilitate me. There will be no extended periods of withdrawal from the world today, nor an amplified temper.
Yes, I still miss my cousin, and wonder what kind of man he'd grow up to be had he lived.
I also realize that a major factor in my growing into the man that I am is because he didn't.
Dre, thanks for everything. Your brief life taught me more about love and truly living than anything else I've experienced. The bond we shared in life is one of the things that inspires me daily. Your big heart and giving nature are what first inspired me to do community work. If you could start doing it when we were 12, I never have had an excuse to not pull my weight. My first instinct had always been to name my first child after you, but with my entry into literature and business drove me to honor you differently. Aside from God, there is no greater driving force in my life than to not fail your memory. You taught me that no matter how short your life may be, that we as human beings can still leave a legacy for others to follow. Our lives are punctuated by our deeds, and the sentence of your deeds is pure poetry: poignant, powerful, and transcendent of time.
Keep our ancestors company for me, and keep them laughing. We all love and miss you still. I'd say I wish you could be at this show on the 30th, but I know you'll be on that stage with me.
To the rest of y'all: don't take a second of this life for granted. Think to yourself, what is it that you are doing that will make this world better? To make someone's life better? What have you worked to change? What can you change? How do you want to be remembered? Never dismiss your power. All of our heroes were regular people, just like you and I. Do not fall prey to the passive American lifestyle that has become all too contemporary in this age. There is nothing that we can not achieve as individuals or as a community. Carry on the proud memory of your ancestors, always put your best foot forward, embrace your mistakes, hold your loved ones close, and pull your weight to improve this fallen world.
Selah,
Timothy William Prolific Veit Jones