[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 142 (Saturday, October 10, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2024-E2025]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       A 50TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY TRIBUTE TO IRENE AND AL DALPIAZ

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JERRY LEWIS

                             of california

                           HON. ROBERT W. NEY

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 9, 1998

  Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, my colleague Mr. Ney and I 
would like to bring to your attention today the 50th wedding 
anniversary of our dear friends, Irene and Al Dalpiaz of Dover, Ohio. 
Al and Irene will mark the occasion during a special celebration with 
their children and grand-children next weekend in Medeira Beach, 
Florida.
  Irene Sikora and Albert Dalpiaz were married on October 2, 1948 at 
St. Mary's Church in Dennison, Ohio. From their first meeting at a 
dance, Al and Irene knew they shared a special bond. Irene was the 
oldest of eight daughters and, in the early days of their courtship, 
usually had a difficult time getting rid of her sisters when Al would 
come calling. From the beginning, they were a handsome couple. 
Unfortunately, the wedding photographer forgot about their wedding and 
only showed up at the end of their ceremony. Ironically, Al and Irene 
spent their honeymoon in Washington D.C.
  Al and Irene's first son, Larry, was born in 1954. Seven years later, 
the family moved to Dover, Ohio and their favorite (and only) daughter, 
Elaine, was born. Kevin was born four years later. Al was the co-owner 
of Tusco Service where he was a genius installing and repairing air 
conditioning and refrigeration units. In those days, especially, that 
was a bonus; their home was the first on the street to have central air 
conditioning. Al left Tusco in the 1970's and worked at Cummins Diesel 
until his retirement in the late 1980's. After a stint of being a full-
time mom, Irene returned to work as a secretary at Dover Public Schools 
in the late 1970's.
  The Dalpiaz family was, and remains, a very tight-knit family. Family 
summer vacations to the Smokey Mountains, Daytona Beach and Myrtle 
Beach were very common. Like most Italian families, ``la familia 
Dalpiaz'' was tremendously dedicated to those things in their life that 
meant the most to them--spending time with grandparents, aunts, uncles, 
and cousins as well as their commitment to work, school, the needy, and 
the Catholic Church. That commitment is extraordinarily special today 
as it relates to their grandchildren, Anthony and Gabriel. For many 
years, Al and Irene have also looked out for those less fortunate and 
to this day provide the most needy in Tuscarawas County with food and 
clothing. In short, they have made a special commitment to showering 
their family and those around them with love.
  While Al and Irene are officially retired, one would not know it from 
watching them. Like

[[Page E2025]]

many people half their age, these two are always on the go. In recent 
years, they have traveled to Hawaii, England, Scotland, Florida, and 
their favorite destination, Las Vegas. In all of our days, we have 
rarely seen a Catholic woman like Irene with such a serious affliction 
for gambling on the nickel slot machines! Al tells his friends that the 
reason he and Irene enjoy their travel so much is because they are 
casually spending their kids' inheritance. Al, himself, has a 
tremendous reputation and has made local headlines for his marvelous 
garden where he produces garlic, parsley, lettuce, beans, and enough 
tomatoes to feed the entire state. In fact, Al has shared seeds with us 
both and his reputation continues to grow. He also enjoys spending time 
at the local Elks Lodge and VFW Hall in Dover.
  Mr. Speaker, we ask that you join us and our colleagues in 
recognizing the 50th anniversary of these two very special people. Al 
and Irene Dalpiaz are among the kindest people we know and it is only 
fitting that the House of Representatives pay tribute to them today.

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