[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 103 (Wednesday, June 20, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E876]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING THE IOVANNE FAMILY AND FUNERAL HOME ON 90 YEARS OF DEDICATED 
                                SERVICE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 20, 2018

  Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, it is with a warm heart that I rise today 
to congratulate the Iovanne family on the 90th Anniversary of Iovanne 
Funeral Home--a remarkable milestone for this New Haven institution. 
Now run by the third generation of the family and located in the heart 
of Wooster Square, the neighborhood of my own childhood, Iovanne's is a 
bedrock of our community.
  Founded in 1928 by E. William Iovanne and his wife, Angelina, the 
Iovanne Funeral Home was established in a time when wakes and funerals 
were held in family homes. As time passed and traditions changed, they 
found a new home at 11 Wooster Place where they continue to operate 
today. With the unexpected passing of his father, Bill Sr. took the 
helm of the family business and has served his profession with honor 
and distinction for more than forty years. Today, Bill Iovanne, Jr., 
better known in the neighborhood as simply Billy, is the family's third 
generation to serve as President. Having learned at the feet of his 
grandmother and father, Billy keeps his grandparents' original motto of 
``always treat a person the way you want them to treat you'' close at 
heart as he and his staff help guide families through the loss of those 
closest to them.
  The Wooster Square neighborhood has always been the heart of New 
Haven's Italian-American community and is home to many iconic 
businesses and cultural institutions--Sally's and Pepe's Pizza, St. 
Michael's Church, Columbus Park, Libby's, the St. Andrew's Society, the 
Santa Maria Maddalena Society, and, of course, Iovanne's. Each has 
played a role in the community's rich history and continue to help 
shape its future. The Iovanne family, particularly Bill Sr. and Billy, 
are not only neighborhood business owners, they are dedicated and 
devoted members of the community. They have both long devoted their 
time and energies to ensuring the preservation of the Wooster Square 
neighborhood and its Italian-American roots. That is why they were 
honored by the Greater New Haven Columbus Day Parade Committee in 2012 
as that year's Grand Marshalls.
  There are few that families trust more with the final celebration of 
life for their loved ones than the Iovannes. There are no words of 
thanks for the care and compassion they provide to their clients during 
that most difficult time. Indeed, when I lost my own mother, Luisa, 
last year, there was no question as to who I would entrust with her 
final arrangements. I have known the Iovanne family my entire life and 
am fortunate to call them family. It is my great honor to have the 
opportunity to stand today to extend my heartfelt congratulations to 
Bill Iovanne, Sr., Bill Iovanne, Jr. and the entire Iovanne family as 
they celebrate their 90th Anniversary.

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