[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 20 (Thursday, February 7, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S781]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                          REMEMBERING VI STOIA

 Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, today I wish to honor the life of 
Viorel G. ``Vi'' Stoia, who dedicated his life to enhance the lives of 
the citizens of Aberdeen and the surrounding area. He will be sadly 
missed, but many of us will continue to benefit for decades from his 
legacy.
  Vi's leadership qualities showcased themselves early in his life. Vi 
graduated from Aberdeen Central High School in 1942 as president of his 
senior class. He then served honorably in the U.S. Navy in both the 
North and South Pacific. He returned to the United States to attend the 
University of Minnesota and upon graduation headed for his hometown of 
Aberdeen, SD. Thus began his long role of public service, which several 
have described as unparalleled.
  Vi began his career in Aberdeen as an agent and broker for 
Northwestern Mutual Life and continued to work tirelessly for over 50 
years to improve the northeast South Dakota region. Some of the 
numerous projects he was instrumental in developing include Student 
Loan Finance Corporation, Education Assistance Corporation, 
Northeastern Mental Health, the Aberdeen Development Corporation, 
Northeast Regional Health and Fitness Center, the Northwest Highway 281 
bypass, and the four-lane highway from Aberdeen to I-29. Vi was also a 
devoted family man, an active member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, and 
committed to furthering the work of the Presentation Sisters.
  For his efforts over these many years, Vi was awarded the Medal of 
Distinguished Excellence, and the Community Volunteer, Excellence in 
Economic Development award. Vi was the all-around resource center for 
anything going on in Aberdeen. Many benefited from the newspaper 
clippings he sent or handed to people he thought could use them. I 
remember some he sent to me. Vi was a pioneer in regional development 
and he saw that as the future of Aberdeen.
  Vi is survived by his wife Donna, four children, and five 
grandchildren. I would like to offer my condolences to the family, 
friends, and fellow advocates whom Vi touched with his efforts on 
behalf of the people of northeast South Dakota. They have much to be 
proud of, and it is my hope that their memories will be rich with the 
many great accomplishments and the lives that Vi touched during his 
life. Although we will all miss him, his memory will serve as a beacon 
to our young people to better the lives of others and their communities 
through the examples he has set.

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