[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 149 (Thursday, October 6, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1792]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       HONORING U.S. MARINE LANCE CORPORAL GIUSEPPE ``JOE'' LETO

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. CHRISTOPHER S. MURPHY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 6, 2011

  Mr. MURPHY of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
memory of U.S. Marine Lance Corporal Giuseppe ``Joe'' Leto.
  Joe was a resident of New Milford, Connecticut, where he attended 
Canterbury High School for four years. As his family and friends 
describe him, Joe was a passionate member of the school wrestling team 
who enjoyed spending time with his friends. Following his graduation, 
he went on to attend Western New England College in Springfield, 
Massachusetts to study business. In 1998, he decided to serve his 
country by joining the U.S. Marine Corps. After going through boot camp 
on Paris Island, he reported to Camp Lejeune in North Carolina for 16 
weeks of training. Tragically, Joe died during a conditioning hike in 
his third week at Camp Lejeune at the age of 21.
  Following Joe's death, his mother, Mrs. Mimi Leto established the Joe 
Leto Scholarship for the students at Canterbury High School. When 
community support for the Leto family was expressed in an outpouring of 
flowers, Joe's former wrestling coach, Joe Wilson suggested that Mrs. 
Leto ask the community to participate in a fundraiser to support a 
scholarship in Joe's memory.
  The community's response was enthusiastic. Though originally intended 
to be a one-time event, the ``Run for Joe'' has become a tradition in 
New Milford. Participants have raised a total of over $150,000 in 
support of Joe's scholarship since the very first run. October 9, 2011 
marks the 13th Annual ``Run for Joe'' to raise money for the Joe Leto 
Scholarship Fund. This year, in honor of the ``Run for Joe'' and in 
honor of Joe's memory, a flag will be flown at half staff on the day of 
the event at the Connecticut state Capitol.
  In reflection of the premature loss of a young, promising U.S. Marine 
and the sense of community he has inspired in the town of New Milford, 
I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing and honoring the life of 
Lance Corporal Giuseppe Leto, and the contributions his family and 
community have made in his memory to the students at Canterbury High 
School.

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