[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 119 (Wednesday, September 10, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1718]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   VINCENT ``JIM'' GIANNOTTI HONORED

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES H. MALONEY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 10, 1997

  Mr. MALONEY of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, in recent years we have 
appropriately focused on the spirit of voluntarism and the benefits to 
both the volunteer and the service to which time is being given. It is 
an honor for me to bring to the attention of the House of 
Representatives and the American people an individual who exemplifies 
voluntarism and who has given so much of himself. Mr. Vincent ``Jim'' 
Giannotti of Meriden, CT, has served as a volunteer to the Veterans 
Memorial Medical Center in Meriden since September 18, 1979. This 
Friday, September 12, 1997, Jim will retire from the medical center 
after completing 18 years of volunteer service.
  It is significant that Jim's service to the medical center didn't 
start until he was 72 years of age. This coming December 18, Jim will 
celebrate his 90th birthday. Since 1979, he has contributed over 19,000 
hours of his time to the medical center.
  Jim began his service with the delivery of newspapers to patients, 
visiting with them along the way, and giving them both friendship and 
companionship. He also volunteered in the Surgicenter and was a patient 
representative volunteer. Jim could always be counted on to fill in 
wherever he could and would gladly accept any assignment. He was not 
only a valuable asset to the volunteer department, but to the entire 
hospital as well.
  Jim Giannotti is held in the highest esteem and is clearly respected 
by all who know him. Over the years, his tireless efforts and his 
unselfish donation of time and energy have helped the lives of so many 
and has helped Veterans Memorial Medical Center better serve the 
community.
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of all of the people whose life he has 
touched, I want to congratulate Vincent ``Jim'' Giannotti upon his 
retirement and to thank him for his many years of service.

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