[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 163 (Wednesday, October 16, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1287-E1288]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       TRIBUTE FOR MARIO SR., JOSEPH, MICHAEL, AND ANGELO PETOSA

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. MAX ROSE

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 16, 2019

  Mr. ROSE of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask all of my 
colleagues to join me in honoring four outstanding Staten Islanders and 
veterans of the United States Military,

[[Page E1288]]

the Petosa brothers: Mario Sr., Joseph, Michael, and Angelo.
   Mario Sr. served in the U.S. Army from 1942 to 1947, fighting in the 
Pacific theater during World War II from the Aleutian Islands in Alaska 
to Okinawa in Japan. Mario received numerous decorations for his 
service including two Purple Hearts and six Bronze Battle Stars. Joseph 
served in the U.S. Navy from 1943 to 1946, reaching the rank of 
Metalsmith Third Class and receiving the Asiatic Pacific Theatre Ribbon 
and 4 Bronze Battle Stars. Michael served in the U.S. Army from 1942 to 
1946 and was awarded the American Service Medal for his actions during 
the occupation of Japan. Angelo's service in the U.S. Navy began after 
World War II and he remained in the U.S. Navy from 1952 to 1972, 
eventually achieving the rank of Lieutenant.
   These brothers represent the best among us: a family dedicated to 
this country. They served America, fighting for our freedom during 
World War II and during the Cold War. With every day that passes, it 
becomes more and more important that we all work to recognize their 
accomplishments and preserve their stories for future generations. Our 
children and our children's children must know the sacrifices they made 
so many years ago so that we may be free today.
   The Petosa brothers are proof not just of the greatness of our 
community on Staten Island, but of the entire country. They came here 
as immigrants from Italy, making tremendous sacrifices not just to call 
this country home, but to put their lives on the line to defend it. 
This is a testament not only to the character of these men, but to the 
country they chose to live in and serve. That spirit lives on in the 
United States military today, in men and women like the ones I served 
with in Afghanistan who were willing to risk it all first to become an 
American, and then to protect that right for others.
   So Madam Speaker, during this Italian-American Heritage Month, I ask 
my colleagues in the House to join me in recognizing Mario Sr., Joseph, 
Michael, and Angelo Petosa, four Italian-American heroes who dedicated 
their lives to serving to this country and who represent the best of 
Staten Island.

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