[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 137 (Monday, September 12, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Page S5500]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                      REMEMBERING GRIFFIN DALIANIS

 Ms. AYOTTE. Mr. President, today I recognize the extraordinary 
life of a dear friend and champion of veterans' rights, Griffin 
``Griff'' Dalianis.
  Griff served with the 1st Special Operations Group of the Strategic 
Air Command in the U.S. Air Force from 1961 to 1965. His service here 
may have influenced his work later in life--Griff was well known and 
loved in his community for his tireless work on behalf of his fellow 
veterans. After his service, Griff Dalianis earned his bachelor's 
degree in history and psychology from Suffolk University in Boston, 
followed by a master's degree of education. He then earned a 
certificate in advanced graduate study in counseling from Northeastern 
University in 1975 and earned his doctorate of philosophy from 
California Western University in 1982.
  The next several years of Griff's life show a man who was deeply 
dedicated to serving others. In addition to founding Southern New 
Hampshire Family Counseling Associates in 1975 and serving as an 
instructor of psychology at Rivier College in Nashua, Griff became an 
active and respected member of the Nashua community. He was affiliated 
with numerous Nashua groups, including the Nashua Rotary Club, the 
Nashua Youth Council, Nashua Planning Board, and Nashua Chamber of 
Commerce.
  Griff Dalianis's advocacy on behalf of his fellow veterans was 
unparalleled. In addition to serving as chairman of the State Veterans 
Advisory Committee, chairman of the U.S. Veterans Administration 
Committee on Rehabilitation, civilian aide to the Secretary of the 
Army, and receiving a Distinguished Service Medal, Griff worked with 
Harbor Homes, an organization in New Hampshire that provides 
transitional housing for homeless veterans. An apartment house Griff 
worked to establish with Harbor Homes was named after him. As a result 
of his efforts, approximately 40 veterans at risk of homelessness now 
have homes. Griff even had a weekly column in the Nashua Telegraph 
called ``Ask the Commander.''
  Griff leaves behind his wife, New Hampshire Supreme Court Chief 
Justice Linda Stewart Dalianis, daughters Deborah A. Bischoff and 
Cynthia E. Godfrey, sons Matthew Dalianis and Benjamin Dalianis, 
grandchildren Allison Bischoff and Mariah Willis, and many other family 
members and loved ones. We are all deeply saddened by the loss of such 
an influential and exemplary member of Nashua's community and dear 
friend to so many.
  Our thoughts and prayers are with Chief Justice Linda Dalianis and 
her family during this difficult time. Griff's legacy of service and 
advocacy will live on in Nashua and across New Hampshire, and we are 
forever grateful that he called our great State home.

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