[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 166 (Wednesday, December 15, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2140]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING ``BUDDY'' FRANK DiPAOLO, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PATRICK J. KENNEDY

                            of rhode island

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 15, 2010

  Mr. KENNEDY. Madam Speaker, I rise today for the purpose of 
recognizing ``Buddy'' Frank DiPaolo, Jr. Earlier this year, Buddy Frank 
retired at the age of 103 from his position as the doorkeeper at the 
Rhode Island House of Representatives, where he served for the past 32 
years.
  Not only has Buddy been an exemplary public servant for the State of 
Rhode Island, but I have been fortunate enough to have known him as a 
friend and mentor throughout my adult life. I first met Buddy Frank 
over 25 years ago when he owned the Castle Spa restaurant and I was an 
undergraduate at Providence College. Throughout my career, dating back 
to when I first sought elected office in the Rhode Island General 
Assembly in 1988, I have turned to Buddy to be one of my most trusted 
and reliable advisors. I've been honored to be his ``number one 
buddy,'' but even more blessed to be treated as his ``third son.''
  I consider Buddy's family to be my own; his wife, Eugenia, his four 
children, Thomas, Claire, Evelyn, and Richard, his sixteen 
grandchildren, Susan, Steven, Robert, Kathleen, Cheryl, John, Erin, 
Robin, Kevin, Paul, Pamela, Mark, Claudia, Kristen, Lynn, and Laura, 
and eighteen grandchildren, Catherine, Michael, Abigail, Katelyn, 
Jessica, Bryan, William, Tyler, Zackery, Gillian, Seamus, Campbell, 
Rory, Damian, Gian, Jacqueline, Nicholas, and Timothy. They are all 
truly blessed to have a patriarch in the truest sense in Buddy Frank, 
and I thank them for the opportunity to share him as a positive 
influence in my life.
  Buddy Frank will be turning 104 years old on December 24, 2010, and I 
wish him a happy birthday. I also wish him all the best in his future 
endeavors. He will continue to carry my own admiration, and that of all 
who have had the privilege to work with him.

                          ____________________