[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 5925]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING LOU COSTANTINO, SR.

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SPENCER BACHUS

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 14, 2008

  Mr. BACHUS. Madam Speaker, I rise to ask the House to reflect on the 
memory and devotion of a valued employee who loved this institution, 
Lou Costantino, Sr.
  Mr. Costantino's passing over the weekend was a loss to the House of 
Representatives. He had a deep reverence for this institution and 
always conducted himself with honor and decency. Whether it was a 
Member of Congress or a member of the public passing by the door to the 
floor, Lou treated everyone with equal respect and civility. He was an 
ambassador for the House of Representatives and the Capitol Hill 
neighborhood where he spent the majority of his life.
  Lou Costantino, Sr. was born in a house on New Jersey Avenue just a 
couple of blocks from the Capitol. His parents ran a grocery store at 
that time, the same grocery that Lou would begin running shortly after 
graduation from high school, along with a carry out, barbershop, and 
cleaners that his parents opened. He operated these businesses until 
coming to work for the House of Representatives in 1980.
  During those early years, Mr. Costantino met his wife Doris while 
going to Eastern High School on Capitol Hill. They were married in 1965 
at St. Peter's Church and had two children, Eydie and Lou. ``There's 
been a Costantino at St. Peter's for 100 years,'' he would often 
remark.
  Lou's devotion to family was indicative of the commitment he had for 
the House of Representatives. He first began his career here in 1980 
with the Office of the Doorkeeper. He always loved his job and the 
people around him, and held the history and the daily workings of the 
House in the highest esteem. In accordance with his post, and owing to 
the high regard in which he was held, Mr. Costantino had the honor of 
escorting the First Lady to her seat for the State of the Union 
Address, a task he accomplished annually for every First Lady since 
Nancy Reagan.
  Born just a few blocks away, and having worked in the Capitol for 
more than 25 years, Lou Costantino, Sr. served this institution and his 
country with honor and distinction. We extend our sympathies to his 
family during this time of loss. But we also offer our deep and sincere 
gratitude for the devoted service given by an individual whose 
qualities represent the best that this institution has to offer.

                          ____________________