[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 20 (Thursday, February 7, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E151-E152]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        ON THE LIFE OF VI STOIA

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. STEPHANIE HERSETH SANDLIN

                            of south dakota

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, February 7, 2008

  Ms. HERSETH SANDLIN. Madam Speaker, today I would like to offer a 
special remembrance for a unique individual, Vi Stoia. Viorel G. ``Vi'' 
Stoia was born in Aberdeen, South Dakota in 1924. He lived there all of 
his life, save for when he attended the University of Minnesota earning 
his degree in business administration, and when he served in the United 
States Navy from 1942 to 1946 as a Chief Petty Officer. Vi married 
Donna Marie Maurseth in 1949 and they made their home in Aberdeen, 
raising their five children--Marsha, Nancy, Greg, James and Thomas.

[[Page E152]]

  Vi served on countless boards, was a member of numerous civic 
associations, and was Aberdeen's resident historian, well-known and 
well-liked throughout the community. He learned everything he could 
about area projects and economic development issues, and maintained 
both a mental and physical archive of the town's history. If you had a 
question about something in Aberdeen's history, not only would Vi know 
the answer, he would most likely be able to produce a newspaper article 
about it. His clippings archives went back at least 60 years, if not 
more.
  As a constant supporter of the Aberdeen community, Vi was involved in 
almost every opportunity for economic growth or quality-of-life 
improvement. He advocated for public projects as diverse as the 
Northeast Regional Health and Fitness Center, the Highway 12 Expressway 
and Moccasin Creek revitalization. When incentives for business 
recruitment and expansion were being sought, Vi was there to lead the 
charge.
  Though he was a very successful businessman, as senior financial 
representative with Northwestern Mutual Life, and held many leadership 
positions within the insurance industry, it was his public service and 
influence within the community that will be remembered most.
  I join the Aberdeen community, Vi's family, and friends, not in 
mourning his passing, but in celebrating his life and the innumerable 
contributions he made to the community of which he was so proud.

                          ____________________