The publication is reproduced in full below:
HONORING THE LIFE OF DONALD F. SALADINO
______
HON. JIM COSTA
of california
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, June 30, 2021
Mr. COSTA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Donald F. Saladino. Donald passed away on June 1, 2021. Donald was a Veteran of the United States, a loyal family-oriented son, a husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and a friend.
Donald was born on August 5, 1927 in Fresno, California. He spent his youth dedicated to the Catholic church, as he attended St. Alphonsus Catholic School and served as an altar boy. While attending Edison High School, he found passion in basketball, where he was recruited to play for the New York Knicks. However, with his strong family bonds, Donald decided to stay at home, where he became a part of his family's grocery store as a butcher and where he found the love of his life, Anna.
Donald's love for family extended to a global level where he decided to serve for people around him. In 1945, Donald joined the Merchant Marines. In 1946, he was drafted into the Army, and while stationed in Berlin, he joined the marching band, where they performed for all U.S. dignitaries and service personnel. In 1951, he joined the Navy Reserves where he was discharged in 1955.
Donald was an outstanding talent in the kitchen. Using his family recipes that were brought over from the Calabrese region of Italy, he began to make their special family sausages in 1944. Saladinos Catering was created with Anna by his side working just as much as Donald did. He connected with the San Joaquin Valley through his dishes and by providing employment for students from his local high school, San Joaquin Memorial. In 1980, his son Craig, joined the family business and to this day, Saladino's Foodservice has continued to have the same quality and standards set forth by its founders.
Donald spent his time donating to various charities, organizations, and philanthropic purposes. Amongst spending quality time with his wife, he enjoyed several activities with his family and close friends. Donald had many memories in the kitchen and creating dishes for his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Ranging from hosting parties, catering events, traveling and exploring the world with Anna and their close cousins. He loved his family and his two children. Donald always reminded his family to never forget where they came from and how important it was to have strong values, ethics and wisdom. He spent his entire life fulfilling his family traditions of providing for his family through food, well into the last weeks of his life.
Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the life of Donald F. Saladino. His service and contributions will be missed. I join his family and friends in celebrating Donald's life.
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SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 167, No. 114
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