[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 90 (Wednesday, June 23, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1368-E1369]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     IN MEMORY OF DONALD L. ALFIERO

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. SAM GEJDENSON

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 23, 1999

  Mr. GEJDENSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise with great sorrow on the passing 
of Donald L. Alfiero of Norwick, Connecticut. Don was a friend to me 
and thousands in Norwick, a dedicated husband and a tireless public 
servant.
  Don Alfiero worked hard day-in and day-out on behalf of everyone in 
Norwich. He served on several boards and commissions and was a senior 
member of the City Council. He recognized the importance of education 
and fought to ensure that the students in his community had the very 
best. Don Alfiero was more than a remarkable public servant, he was a 
great person. He was gregarious and outspoken, but compassionate above 
all else. I have attached an editorial from the Norwich Bulletin that 
describes Don well which I request be included following my statement.
  Mr. Speaker, Don Alfiero's memory will live on and endure in Norwich. 
He will always be a model for those of us in public service.

                 [Editorial from the Norwich Bulletin]

      Loss of Don Alfiero Stuns and Diminishes Norwich and Council

       Donald L. Alfiero died suddenly yesterday morning and his 
     loss has stunned and saddened this city.
       As husband, neighbor, alderman, volunteer--and simply a 
     good guy--Don Alfiero touched a lot of people hereabouts and 
     always for the better.
       Don was 62, retired from Electric Boat, and the senior 
     member of the Norwich City Council. A Democrat, Don 
     represented Precinct 9. But you didn't have to be a Democrat 
     or live in his precinct to call Don Alfiero a friend.
       If ever there were anyone of whom it could be said led by 
     example, Don Alfiero was that man. He was involved, he 
     listened and--regardless of what others thought--Don always 
     spoke his mind and did what he thought best. That didn't 
     always win him great popularity; but for Don being popular 
     was secondary to being right.
       His service to the city was extensive. Don was vice 
     chairman, then chairman of the Democratic Town Committee, and 
     remained

[[Page E1369]]

     active with it after that. He was a member of the Mohegan 
     Park Advisory Committee, the Public Parking Commission, City 
     Hall Renovations Committee and the Public Works and Capital 
     Improvements Committee.
       Don's and his wife Anna's commitment to education is well 
     known. Anna is chairwoman of the Norwich Board of Education.
       Lines on a resume do not adequately describe Don Alfiero. 
     Though they had no children, Don was a grandfatherly kind of 
     guy who loved his city and the people who live here.
       It's appropriate to recall that shortly before he died, Don 
     was on the radio with Johnny London, cheerleading for his 
     city and summer festivals at Howard T. Brown Park.
       Don Alfiero was a nice man, but more importantly he was a 
     good man. His presence in this city will be missed.
       Anna has our sympathy. Don has our prayers. The Norwich 
     City Council has big shoes to fill.

     

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