[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 27 (Thursday, February 13, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E253]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO ANTHONY PAUL SPITALERI

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ANNA G. ESHOO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 13, 2003

  Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Anthony Paul Spitaleri who is 
retiring after a distinguished career in service to the City of Palo 
Alto and its Fire Department for thirty-five years.
  On January 1, 1967, Anthony ``Tony'' Spitaleri joined the Stanford 
Fire Department as a Firefighter. The Stanford Fire Department merged 
with the Palo Alto Fire Department in 1976, and Tony rose through the 
ranks to become Fire Captain. He has served his coworkers ably as 
President of the Palo Alto Firefighters Union (Local 1319) for more 
than a quarter century with professionalism and commitment. He helped 
recruit and retain a force of highly qualified firefighters and 
developed safe standards for staffing and equipment. He's been a 
tireless fundraiser for many community causes, and recently helped 
raise $800,000 for the families of New York Firefighters following the 
tragedies of September 11th.
  Mr. Speaker, Tony Spitaleri is known throughout our community as an 
unselfish, enthusiastic, thorough, fair, compassionate, courteous man 
and he's one of the best barbequers around! I salute him for his 
extraordinary leadership which has made our community safer and 
stronger.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Anthony Paul 
Spitaleri for his outstanding service to our community and wishing him 
a retirement filled with every blessing.

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