January 15, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 8 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Page H551]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING JOSEPH FARINA

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New 
York (Mr. Sean Patrick Maloney) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. SEAN PATRICK MALONEY of New York. Madam Speaker, at a time of 
dysfunction and rancor, it is useful to remember a time when America 
led the world because of the heroism of everyday Americans. I rise 
today to honor the life and legacy of Sergeant Joseph Farina of New 
Windsor, New York.
  Joe was a regular guy who ran a bowling alley in Newburgh, New York. 
He was a 20-year-old and a member of the National Guard when America 
was attacked at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. That very night, 
Joseph volunteered for service.
  During war, he was deployed to the Philippines and New Guinea, where 
his service earned him four battle stars, numerous other medals, and 
two Presidential citations.
  Joseph passed away at his home last month at the age of 97. Next to 
him was his wife of 76 years, Elizabeth, whom he had married in 
Brisbane, Australia, at the height of the war in 1942. Joseph would 
actually work in Australia for many years and pioneer the sport of 
bowlin there.

  But his legacy is far broader than that, not only to his country 
during his service in World War II, but also to the veterans community 
in the Hudson Valley and across America.
  He was active in many veterans organizations, the Catholic War 
Veterans, and he helped to cofound the National Purple Heart Hall of 
Honor in New Windsor, New York. The Hall of Honor is dedicated to 
collecting and sharing the stories of Purple Heart recipients. No 
comprehensive list of Purple Heart recipients exists, and the hall acts 
as an important archive and monument to their service.
  Joseph, like so many in his generation, knew what it meant to serve 
others. Like so many in his generation, he worked in his community and 
was a person dedicated to something bigger than himself. What a 
powerful lesson for all of us to recall today. He was a model American 
citizen, and he will be missed.

                          ____________________