[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 118 (Friday, July 31, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2177]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    IN MEMORY OF FATHER FLOYD LOTITO

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JACKIE SPEIER-

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 31, 2009

  Ms. SPEIER. Madam Speaker, I pay tribute today to a man of God who 
dedicated his life to improving the lives of those less fortunate. 
Father Floyd Lotito, the heart and soul of St. Anthony's Dining Room, 
left our world on July 14, ending his long and valiant struggle with 
Parkinson's disease.
  Born in Los Angeles, as Alfonso Joseph Lotito, he took Floyd as his 
religious name when he entered the Franciscan Order in 1953, prior to 
being ordained into the priesthood seven years later. He received his 
Bachelor of Sacred Theology from Old Mission Theological Seminary in 
Santa Barbara and his Masters in Speech and Communication Arts from 
Marquette University.
  Before joining the St. Anthony Foundation in 1968, Father Floyd spent 
time as a high school teacher in Santa Barbara and as a parish priest 
in communities all across our country.
  When I think of Father Floyd, I remember a man who knew everyone's 
name, yet called us all ``brother'' or ``sister'' as a sign of respect. 
He went out of his way to make people feel special and was known 
locally for his annual Blessing of the Taxi Fleet and the Blessing of 
the Animals.
  Father Floyd's wisdom and eloquence garnered him invitations to give 
the benediction at the 1984 Democratic National Convention in San 
Francisco, the opening of Pacific Bell Park in 2000, and many others.
  The St. Anthony Foundation has ministered to the poor and down-on-
their-luck for more than 40 years, in large part due to Father Floyd's 
ability to reach people of all types in profoundly personal ways. He 
did not see rich or poor, he only saw those who could help and those 
who needed help.
  Father Floyd held many positions at St. Anthony's, but nearest to his 
heart was the St. Anthony Dining Room. Opened in 1981, it is now the 
leading free-meal program in the city, providing more than 2,500 meals 
a day to San Francisco's poor. Earlier this year, Father Floyd served 
his 35 millionth meal.
  Madam Speaker, our community is fortunate to have been blessed with 
Father Floyd. He leaves our community better than he found it and it 
brightens my heart to know that San Francisco has yet another angel to 
help guide us.

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