[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 3]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 4387]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




             REMEMBERING ``MR. BURLINGAME,'' VICTOR MANGINI

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TOM LANTOS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 15, 2007

  Mr. LANTOS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and commemorate the 
life of my dear friend Victor Mangini, who died of congestive heart 
failure on February 4, 2007 at the age of 88. ``Vic'', as he was often 
called, was an extraordinary human being, and a regarded educator, 
coach and public servant. His commitment to his adopted city of 
Burlingame, California rightfully earned him the title ``Mr. 
Burlingame.''
  Born in Manhattan, Victor earned his Bachelor's Degree from Manhattan 
College and his teaching credential from Columbia University. As a 
young man, Victor joined the Armed Services and was stationed at the 
Presidio of San Francisco, where he played a key role as a training 
officer. Victor's commitment to our Nation's military continued after 
the War, as he joined the Air Force Reserve, retiring at the rank of 
Colonel after 37 years of service.
  Madam Speaker, much like both of us, Victor Mangini fell deeply in 
love with the Bay Area of California and sought to make it his 
permanent home. The wonderful community of Burlingame located in the 
beautiful 12th Congressional District of California, which I am 
immensely proud to represent, is where Victor wisely chose to live and 
raise his family.
  After the end of World War II, Victor Mangini moved down the 
Peninsula and started what became an illustrious 44-year career at 
Burlingame High School. During his tenure at Burlingame High School, 
Vic's involvement in the education and well-being of young scholars and 
athletes occurred in the classroom as history teacher and later as the 
assistant principal, and also on the athletic field, where he coached 
both the football and track teams. Because of outstanding and 
extraordinary dedication to the school, in May 2001 the Burlingame City 
Council voted to name the street in front of Burlingame High School 
after him. The high school address now reads 1 Mangini Way. That same 
year, Vic was also honored by his induction into the San Mateo County 
Sports Hall of Fame.
  Vic's commitment to educating youth went far beyond his high school 
classroom. For over 55 years he headed the scholarship selection 
committee for the Frank H. and Eva B. Buck Foundation, which provides 
full scholarships and support to more than two hundred students seeking 
higher education in California.
  Madam Speaker, Victor Magnini's impressive resume and limitless 
talents did not only extend to academic endeavors. He was president of 
the Burlingame Rotary Club, and as an active member of the Our Lady of 
Angels Church in Burlingame, California, Victor proved his loyalty to 
his adopted city and in 1957, during the Golden Anniversary of the City 
of Burlingame, he rightfully earned the title ``Citizen of the Year'' 
from his fellow community members.
  Vic was also very active in local politics. He successfully ran for 
Burlingame City Council in 1970, an office he held till he decided to 
retire in 1989. Vic served four separate terms as Mayor of the city of 
Burlingame during his nearly twenty-year tenure on the council.
  A devoted family man, Victor was married to Rina Sari for 27 years, 
before she succumbed to breast cancer in 1975. They raised two 
children, Mariavittoria (Vicki) and Martin Jerome (Jerry). Victor later 
married Grace Cecilia Mangini, who passed away in 2003 following 
another 27 years of happy marriage.
  Madam Speaker, there is a reason all city flags in Burlingame, 
California flew at half-staff for 4 days following Victor Mangini's 
death. The whole city of Burlingame mourned the passing of this 
extraordinary human being, who exemplified the highest class of 
American citizens, whose commitment to the improvement of society and 
country is unwavering. Victor Mangini spent his life making his 
community a better place, and I, along with every single resident of 
the City of Burlingame, California am deeply indebted to this true 
American hero.