[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 46 (Tuesday, March 15, 2022)]
[House]
[Pages H3718-H3719]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1230
              REMEMBERING THE LIFE OF VINCENT M. AUGOSTINI

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
New York (Ms. Tenney) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. TENNEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to remember and celebrate 
Vincent Augostini, who lost his life due to complications from 
neurofibromatosis on January 27, 2022.
  Vince, as his friends and family called him, was born in Johnson 
City, New York, on September 7, 1979. He was the seventh child of his 
mother, Dolores, and father, Louis.
  Vince was a quintessential upstate New Yorker. He loved New York and 
especially the southern tier, where he spent his entire life in his 
cherished hometown of Johnson City, New York.
  Vincent enjoyed all things New York, from our terrific sports teams 
to our delicious and unique regional food choices. He loved rooting for 
the New York Yankees and the New York Giants. He savored hearty chicken 
spiedies, a Binghamton specialty, and enjoyed extra-crispy Buffalo 
chicken wings.
  When he was not watching the Yankees or the Giants, Vince was also a 
huge fan of professional wrestling. However, few things brought him as 
much joy as following the New York Yankees, and God loves Yankees fans.
  Decked out in Yankees gear, with a large Yankees logo displayed 
proudly on the back window of his van, Vince made several sacred trips 
from Johnson City to the Bronx to watch his beloved Bronx Bombers play.
  For his 34th birthday, Vince trekked to the Bronx to watch the 
Yankees take on their biggest rivals, the Boston Red Sox. Before the 
game, Vince had the special honor of being escorted onto the field at 
Yankee Stadium, a high pride for him. He continued to attend every 
Saturday home game at Yankee Stadium until his declining health made it 
impossible for him to travel.
  But the one thing Vince cherished most in the world was his devoted 
and loving family. As the youngest of seven siblings, the Augostini 
siblings were a source of mutual love, support, and inspiration to each 
other.
  From family reunions to holidays and birthdays, Vince spent countless 
hours with his family, especially his mother, Dolores, with whom he 
shared a special bond.
  As Vince's health inevitably declined, Dolores devoted her life to 
providing him with loving care. The relationship Vince and his mother 
shared was the epitome of unconditional love.
  Even when his health began to deteriorate rapidly, Vince was more 
worried about his own mother than even about himself. In his final 
moments on Earth, and as his family tearfully expressed emotional and 
final good-byes, Vince mouthed the words to all of his brothers: 
``Please help Mom.''
  Vince was selfless. His courage in the face of a difficult battle to 
fight a lifelong and terribly debilitating disease is beyond inspiring. 
Most importantly, despite all the pain he endured throughout his life, 
Vince was unwavering in his compassion and care for all of those whom 
he encountered.
  Vince was forever grateful for the kindness of the Make-A-Wish 
Foundation. Vince was the 500th kid chosen from the Make-A-Wish 
Foundation of Central New York. In November 1997, Vince had the 
amazing, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to bring his brothers and 
father to Chicago to meet Bulls superstar, Michael Jordan, the greatest 
of all time.
  Vincent was truly generous at heart and wanted to make sure other 
children got the same opportunity, which

[[Page H3719]]

is why he was a frequent donor to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Central 
New York as well as the Neurofibromatosis Foundation.
  Vince spent most of his last 2 years at the Willow Point Nursing and 
Rehabilitation Center. However, this did not stop him from doing what 
he loved: watching sports, eating spiedies and chicken wings, and, of 
course, loving his family and friends.
  The Augostini family wishes to express their immense appreciation to 
the staff at Willow Point for the loving care that was provided to 
Vince through his final days on Earth. When the pandemic restrictions 
prohibited visitors, the staff at Willow Point made extraordinary 
efforts to ensure that Vince was treated as a family member and had 
constant virtual access to his own family at home.
  Sadly, Vince passed away on January 27, 2022, surrounded by his 
loving family.
  Although neurofibromatosis created many challenges for Vince, he 
refused to let his disability affect his spirits or his passion for 
life. He never let the disease define him.
  Vince will always be remembered for his infectious smile, his 
charming sense of humor, and his zest for life.
  As President Abraham Lincoln said, in the end, it is not the years in 
life that count; it is the life in your years. In the short 42 years of 
his life, Vince made every single day count.
  He lived every day with kindness and gratitude. Vince's perseverance 
and tenaciousness were an inspiration to his family, friends, and all 
of those who were lucky enough to know him.
  I ask today that all of my colleagues join me in observing a moment 
of silence to remember the incredible life of Vincent Augostini.
  To the Augostini family, please know that we send our deepest 
condolences and prayers. May Vincent rest in peace.

                          ____________________