[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 12163]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    IN HONOR OF FATHER FLOYD LOTITO

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. NANCY PELOSI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 19, 2003

  Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a very 
special friend of the City of San Francisco, Reverend Floyd Alfonso 
Joseph Lotito. Father Lotito is being recognized by the San Francisco 
Forum as the ``San Franciscan of the Year'' for his lifetime of service 
and advocacy for poor and homeless people. A devoted educator, social 
activist, and spiritual leader, Father Lotito epitomizes San 
Francisco's most cherished values.
  Born and raised in Southern California, Father Lotito began his 
theological training in 1949, eventually becoming an ordained priest at 
Old Mission Santa Barbara in 1960. He earned Bachelor of Arts and 
Bachelor of Sacred Theology degrees before joining St. Mary's Parish of 
Stockton, California in 1961. He came to San Francisco in 1968, where 
he became Associate Pastor for St. Boniface Parish and St. Anthony 
Parish, the same position he holds today. Father Lotito later received 
a Master of Arts in Speech and Communication degree and a Lifetime 
California Standard Teaching Credential.
  Father Lotito has kept learning his entire life, most recently 
conducting research in theology, psychology, sociology, education, 
speech, and counseling. He has taught many subjects at the high school, 
college, and graduate school levels. He excelled as a theatre director 
and forensics coach, taking his students to the state competition 
level.
  Father Lotito served in a number of parishes in California, Oregon, 
and Wisconsin before coming to San Francisco, but it was at St. 
Anthony's that he found his home. The St. Anthony Foundation provides 
social services and resources in the neighborhood of St. Boniface 
Church, an area that is home to the poor, the sick, and a burgeoning 
immigrant population. St. Anthony's Dining Room serves 2,000 meals a 
day, 365 days a year. Father Lotito has served in many capacities at 
St. Anthony's including Deputy Executive Director, Director of Public 
Relations, Director of the Dining Room and Chaplain. His work there has 
earned him our eternal admiration and gratitude.
  Father Lotito's efforts to combat poverty and homelessness have 
received local, national and international recognition. He has 
addressed numerous audiences, including President Clinton and members 
of Congress, concerning poverty at home and abroad. In 1984, he 
delivered the benediction at the Democratic National Convention in San 
Francisco. He has helped develop a number of charity and volunteer 
organizations through the church and the community and serves as 
spiritual advisor to many community groups.
  A Franciscan friar, Father Lotito believes in blessing all of God's 
creations. Many look forward to the ``Blessing of the Animals'' he 
holds every year in our city of St. Francis. He also delights us with 
an annual blessing of the City's taxicab drivers. These wonderful 
rituals are just a small part of what make him a true San Francisco 
treasure.
  I am proud to join the San Francisco Forum as well as his friends, 
family, and loved ones in saluting Father Lotito and to congratulate 
him on being named the ``San Franciscan of the Year.''

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