[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 152 (Wednesday, September 17, 2025)]
[House]
[Page H4397]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF MIKE VAINI

  (Mr. BURLISON asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. BURLISON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of a dear 
family friend, Mike Vaini.
  Mike was like an uncle to me. He was my father's best friend. He was 
the best man at my parents' wedding.
  For nearly eight decades, Mike was the go-to man for our church, the 
Springfield First Church of the Nazarene.
  In addition to his distinguished 35 years at Kraft Foods, he 
dedicated himself to his faith, family, and church.
  Mike did everything. He served as a Sunday school teacher and a 
church board member. He even served as the bus driver and, yes, the 
lawn mower for our church. Mike was simply Mr. Reliable.
  When the church needed someone to entertain, he would dress up as 
Mickey Mouse or Tiny Tim. While his voice probably didn't win any choir 
competitions, that never stopped him from singing just to light up the 
room.
  Mike loved music. From southern gospel concerts to the great hits of 
the 1950s and 1960s, he knew all the bands and all the songs.
  Mike was a huge sports fanatic. He was a huge fan of the St. Louis 
Cardinals and the Springfield Cardinals, and he loved playing golf and 
pinball and watching the Olympics.
  I will never forget moments, like going to basketball games with 
Mike. He would always bring licorice for my brother and me.
  Mike and his wife, Linda, were known for hosting parties and bringing 
people together. He lived 78 amazing years with faith, humor, and 
generosity. He poured himself into others, especially his family, 
including Linda.
  So many of us thank God for his life. May he rest in peace.

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