[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 8]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 11338]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING JAMES FORNI

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JARED HUFFMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 10, 2015

  Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of James Forni of 
Petaluma, who passed away on June 28, 2015 at the age of 36. A beloved 
husband, basketball coach, and friend to all, Mr. Forni has left us at 
too young an age. If there's any comfort to be found in the pain his 
family, students, and colleagues are feeling, perhaps it's the 
knowledge that James' legacy of kindness and compassion will remain 
with us indefinitely.
  Some people are respected. Some people are loved. James Forni was 
both. A Petaluma native and local icon, Mr. Forni every day lived the 
values he instilled in his students, his friends, and his family: 
resilience, integrity, and strength. He was the soul at the very center 
of Casa Grande High School. Not only did he coach football and 
basketball as well as teach physical education for over a decade, he 
played multiple sports as a member of the 1998 graduating class before 
continuing on to play football at College of Marin, University of 
Oregon, and University of Redlands.
  Many people would retreat when faced with a fight. Eight years ago 
Mr. Forni was diagnosed with melanoma, but he didn't back down. Even 
when his energy lagged and his muscles ached, he was there for his 
team. He attended basketball games and practices throughout his 
treatment. He battled the disease for nearly a decade and coached 
through the end, guiding his team until this season's conclusion.
  James Forni lived for others. He left a permanent mark on his school 
and community for which, years from now, we will continue to be 
grateful. It is therefore appropriate that we pay tribute to him today 
and express our heartfelt condolences to his wife Mary, his parents Jim 
and Jan, and his siblings Jill and Chris.

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