[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 72 (Thursday, June 8, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1070]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO JOSEPH VERDU

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. LYNN C. WOOLSEY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 8, 2006

  Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Joseph Verdu, a man 
who was loved and admired by many people in my hometown of Petaluma, 
California. Joe passed away on November 5, 2003, at the age of 69. On 
May 20, 2006, friends and family gathered for the dedication and 
renaming of McDowell Field to the Joseph F. Verdu Athletic Field.
  Joe deserved this honor. He was active in youth sports in Petaluma, 
inspiring many young people with his warmth and commitment. He helped 
organize the Petaluma Youth Soccer League and served as its president 
for three years. He was also vice president of the California Youth 
Soccer Association for two years and on the board of the Petaluma 
Valley Little League. The City honored him with a Community Recognition 
Award in 1978 and the State of California with the Parks and Recreation 
Department Outstanding Service Award in 1979.
  Born in San Francisco in 1934, Joe graduated from Lowell High School, 
attended UC Berkeley, and served in the United States Air Force from 
1954-1958. He married his sweetheart Sylvia Magnani in 1957. The couple 
lived in Santa Clara until his job with Kimberly-Clark brought him to 
Petaluma in 1970.
  Joe is survived by his wife Sylvia and their eight sons: Joseph, 
William, Stephen, Thomas, Mark, David, Paul, and Michael. When he died, 
he had 16 grandchildren; now there are 17.
  Mr. Speaker, Sylvia describes her husband as ``a wonderful family 
man'' with a ``magnetic personality that made him popular with everyone 
who knew him.'' I know that description rings true for me and my 
family. We miss Joseph Verdu's humor and spirit, and I am proud to 
honor him for his service to the youth of Petaluma.

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