[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 17528]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




       HONORING ANDREW ESPOSITO ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 15, 2011

  Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise today 
to join all of those who have gathered to extend my sincere 
congratulations to my dear friend, Andrew Esposito, as he celebrates 
his retirement after more than four decades with Ironworkers Local 424. 
Andy's contributions to his union, his brothers and sisters of the 
labor movement, as well as his community have left an indelible mark 
that will not soon be matched.
  The son of Italian immigrant parents--the second youngest of ten 
children at the end of the depression era--Andy learned early on that 
hard work and natural talents garnered success. Throughout his 
childhood, Andy was drawn to athletics and the skills he honed in the 
local parks and recreation centers made him a formidable player by the 
time he joined his high school team. He played three sports and 
captained the noted 1955-56 basketball team to a winning season, a feat 
which is still spoken of today. Andy's love for sports has been a 
lifelong passion. After his own playing days ended, he did the next 
best thing--he coached and refereed.
  Andy became an official with the International Association of 
Approved Basketball Officials, IAABO, and refereed both high school and 
college ball throughout Greater New Haven. His dedication was 
recognized with a multitude of awards and commendations including the 
Outstanding Basketball Official of the Year as well election into the 
Hall of Fame. While living in East Haven, Connecticut, Andy coached 
bitty basketball and was one of the founders of the town's midget 
football league. Andy also volunteered to coach the first wheelchair 
basketball team in Connecticut, the Spokebenders; a team that has since 
gone on to attain national recognition for their abilities on the 
court. In addition to coaching and refereeing, he served 25 years as 
Chairman of the John P. Criscuolo Memorial Scholarship Awards dinner, a 
benefit to raise funds for high school scholar athletes in Greater New 
Haven. These are only a few examples of the innumerable ways Andy 
volunteered on behalf of his community and how his generosity and kind 
heart has touched the lives of others.
  After serving honorably in the United States Army and marrying his 
high-school sweetheart, Andy spent several years searching for work for 
which he had a passion. In the late 1960's he found work with 
Ironworkers Local 424 and his life would forever be changed. Though he 
would choose no other for his life's work, Andy's many years of 
ironworking were long and hard. In 1994, his dedication and 
contributions to Local 424 were recognized with his election to the 
position of President/Business Agent. He served in this position until 
2000 when he was elected Business Manager/Financial Secretary/
Treasurer. During his tenure he also served as Labor Co-Chair of 
Ironworkers Local 15 & 424 Annuity, Health & Welfare & Pension Funds, 
as well as President of the New Haven Building Trades. From his 
beginnings to today, his commitment to unions, fairness, and justice 
for men and women in the workplace has never wavered.
  I have known Andy for many years and I would be remiss if I did not 
take this opportunity to thank him for his constant friendship and 
support. I consider myself fortunate to call him my friend. Throughout 
his life, Andy has demonstrated a unique commitment to his work and his 
community. He has made Greater New Haven a better place to live, work, 
and grow. I am proud to join his wife, Marie, their sons, Mark and 
Gary, as well as daughter-in-law, Karen, and their grandchildren, Gary 
and Danny as well as all of the family, friends, and colleagues in 
congratulating Andrew Esposito on his retirement and wishing him all 
the best for many more years of health and happiness.

                          ____________________