[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 114 (Wednesday, June 30, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E720-E721]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING THE LIFE OF DONALD F. SALADINO

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 30, 2021

  Mr. COSTA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Donald F. 
Saladino. Donald passed away on June 1, 2021. Donald was a Veteran of 
the United States, a loyal family-oriented son, a husband, father, 
grandfather, great grandfather, and a friend.
  Donald was born on August 5, 1927 in Fresno, California. He spent his 
youth dedicated to the Catholic church, as he attended St. Alphonsus 
Catholic School and served as an altar boy. While attending Edison High 
School, he found passion in basketball, where he was recruited to play 
for the New York Knicks. However, with his strong family bonds, Donald 
decided to stay at home, where he became a

[[Page E721]]

part of his family's grocery store as a butcher and where he found the 
love of his life, Anna.
  Donald's love for family extended to a global level where he decided 
to serve for people around him. In 1945, Donald joined the Merchant 
Marines. In 1946, he was drafted into the Army, and while stationed in 
Berlin, he joined the marching band, where they performed for all U.S. 
dignitaries and service personnel. In 1951, he joined the Navy Reserves 
where he was discharged in 1955.
  Donald was an outstanding talent in the kitchen. Using his family 
recipes that were brought over from the Calabrese region of Italy, he 
began to make their special family sausages in 1944. Saladinos Catering 
was created with Anna by his side working just as much as Donald did. 
He connected with the San Joaquin Valley through his dishes and by 
providing employment for students from his local high school, San 
Joaquin Memorial. In 1980, his son Craig, joined the family business 
and to this day, Saladino's Foodservice has continued to have the same 
quality and standards set forth by its founders.
  Donald spent his time donating to various charities, organizations, 
and philanthropic purposes. Amongst spending quality time with his 
wife, he enjoyed several activities with his family and close friends. 
Donald had many memories in the kitchen and creating dishes for his 
grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Ranging from hosting parties, 
catering events, traveling and exploring the world with Anna and their 
close cousins. He loved his family and his two children. Donald always 
reminded his family to never forget where they came from and how 
important it was to have strong values, ethics and wisdom. He spent his 
entire life fulfilling his family traditions of providing for his 
family through food, well into the last weeks of his life.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the life of 
Donald F. Saladino. His service and contributions will be missed. I 
join his family and friends in celebrating Donald's life.

                          ____________________