[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 15399]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




IN MEMORY OF ANTHONY LAINO AND SAFAR SHAFINOORI--VICTIMS OF SUPERSTORM 
                                 SANDY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GARY L. ACKERMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, November 16, 2012

  Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart. 
Tragically, two constituents from my congressional district perished 
due to Superstorm Sandy hitting the New York area. While unfortunately 
many people lost property, or lost power due to Sandy, we cannot forget 
that many people and their families lost much, much more: they lost 
their lives and their loved ones. These people were just in the wrong 
place at the wrong time--a minute or two earlier or later, a foot or 
two closer or farther--and perhaps their lives would not have been 
tragically cut short. They were our neighbors, our friends, our 
brothers, our sisters; they were part of our community.
  Anthony Laino was in his home in Flushing, waiting out the storm in 
his bedroom when a tree fell onto his home, taking his life. Tony, as 
his friends and family called him, was only 30 years old and a graduate 
student at St. John's University. He had his whole life to live; 
friends and family described Tony as larger than life, a ``pillar of 
Flushing.'' His family and friends will truly miss him as they grapple 
with their unspeakable loss.
  Safar Shafinoori of Roslyn was just moving his car. Just as any of us 
would have that night of the storm. Heartbreakingly, a falling tree 
struck and killed him. My heart goes out to Mr. Shafinoori's family.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that all of my colleagues join me and rise in 
remembrance of Anthony Laino and Safar Shafinoori. They will be missed 
by their family, friends and our entire community.

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