[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 23]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 31758]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                           HONORING TONY PINI

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. LYNN C. WOOLSEY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, December 14, 2009

  Ms. WOOLSEY. Madam Speaker, I rise with sadness today to honor Tony 
Pini, a popular leader and a family man, who served as Fire Chief in 
Santa Rosa, California, for 18 years. Tony passed away December 8, 
2009, at the age of 62.
  Born in San Francisco and raised in that city and in South San 
Francisco, Tony joined the Navy after high school. He served aboard the 
destroyer USS Radford off Vietnam, and while still in the service, met 
his future wife Elaine in Honolulu where she was vacationing.
  He returned to the Bay Area and, in 1970, became a firefighter in 
South San Francisco. He was soon promoted to captain, moved on to a 
division chief position in Campbell, CA, and became fire chief in Santa 
Cruz in 1981 at the age of 34.
  During this time, Tony married Elaine; they had 2 daughters; and Tony 
earned degrees at the College of San Mateo, the University of San 
Francisco, and San Jose State University (Masters of Public 
Administration). Despite his hectic schedule, he made sure he had time 
for traveling and camping with his family.
  In 1985, Tony was hired as Santa Rosa Fire Chief, a job he loved. He 
worked hard to develop solid relationships with union firefighters, 
upgrade the engines and equipment, and promote diversity in the 
department. His friendly, outgoing style suited the city, and he stayed 
till he retired at the age of 55.
  After retirement, Tony continued to enjoy time with family, which 
grew to include 5 grandchildren. He was a man of wide ranging interests 
and active disposition who learned languages, played guitar, and 
studied art through both books and visits to museums.
  He is survived by his mother Florene and his brother Rick, as well as 
his wife, 2 daughters and 5 grandchildren.
  Madam Speaker, Tony Pini's passing has left an empty space in the 
Santa Rosa community, and for his wide circle of friends and his 
family. We thank Tony for his years of inspirational leadership and 
appreciate all he has given.

                          ____________________