[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 90 (Wednesday, June 22, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1163]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      REMEMBERING AND HONORING THE LIFE OF VINCENT LEO DIANA, SR.

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                           HON. JOE COURTNEY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 22, 2011

  Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Vincent Leo 
Diana, Sr., an accomplished attorney, loving husband, veteran, and dear 
friend. Vincent, a resident of Manchester, Connecticut, passed away on 
May 27 at the age of 81.
  Vinny was a proud Connecticut resident with deep roots in the 
community. Born in Manchester in 1930, he went to the Nathan Hale 
School, graduated from Manchester High in 1948, and from Hartford's 
Trinity College in 1952. After Trinity, he went on to attend law school 
and was admitted to the Connecticut Bar in 1955. For the next two 
years, Vinny was on active duty in the U.S. Air Force, entering as a 
Second Lieutenant. He served his country and as a Judge Advocate, 
spending most of his time in Tokyo, Japan. When Vinny left the Air 
Force as a Captain, he returned to practicing law.
  A talented and accomplished attorney, Vinny was a man of character 
and one who used his skills for good outside of his law office at 
Diana, Conti, & Tunila. Vinny served as a Master and Trial Referee for 
the Superior Court and was a member of Hartford County's Legal Aid 
Board. He was also active in the Hartford Country Bar Association, 
where he was a Director for 25 years. In 2005, Vinny was honored by the 
Manchester and Hartford Bar Associations for his 50 years of service in 
the region. On this point I can personally attest to his finely honed 
legal skills, diligent representation of his clients, and his ethical 
standards. As a young attorney years ago, I watched Vinny in court 
handle his advocacy with skill and compassion. He was one of the giants 
of the Bar in Hartford and Tolland Counties in Connecticut.
  Vinny cared very much about his friends and colleagues in Manchester, 
demonstrating this commitment through leadership of important causes 
and organizations in town. He was Chairman of the Board for Dyslexic 
Children, a director of the Girl Scout Committee, and an instrumental 
player in getting fluoride added to the Manchester water system. He 
helped young people learn practical management skills as President of 
the Manchester Jaycees, ensured opportunity for local students as a 
founding member of his town's Scholarship Foundation, and even chaired 
the reunion committee for Manchester High's Class of 1948. He was a 
lifelong Republican and member of Manchester's Republican Town 
Committee for 50 years.
  Vinny was also a spiritual man who, as one might expect, put in many 
years of faithful service to his parish. In 2009, Hartford's 
Archbishop, Henry J. Mansell, awarded him the St. Joseph Archdiocesan 
Medal of Appreciation for his work.
  With all the dedication and devotion Vinny put into each aspect of 
his life, he saved most of it for his loving wife Gloria, his seven 
children, and 22 grandchildren. I know of few men who gave as much to 
their country, profession, congregation, community and family as Vinny 
did. His lifetime of service will live on for generations in the 
countless people he helped along the way. I ask my colleagues to join 
me in mourning the loss and celebrating the life of Vincent Leo Diana, 
Sr.

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