The publication is reproduced in full below:
EULOGY FOR SENATOR BIAGIO ``BILLY'' CIOTTO
______
HON. JOHN B. LARSON
of connecticut
in the house of representatives
Monday, July 26, 2021
Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Madam Speaker, on March 29, 2021, I attended the funeral service of Senator Biagio ``Billy'' Ciotto. Billy was a former Connecticut State Senator, Deputy DMV Commissioner, and served on my District office staff since 2007. One of the most unique human beings that I have ever had the honor of knowing and working with, Billy epitomized what it meant to be a true public servant. I am eternally grateful for his friendship and his leadership. I wish to include in the Record my eulogy in honor of Billy's beloved wife Jeanne, and his dear children Maria, Julie, Anthony, John and Joey.
Jeanne, Maria, Julie, Anthony, John and Joey. On behalf of Leslie, myself, and the entire Congressional staff--our hearts go out to you. The outpouring of people and tributes keep coming in. Yet we know nothing or no one will ever be able to fully convey the depth of the loss you are experiencing.
As Billy would often say, ``no one knows the sacrifice a family endures when they support and stand with an elected official.'' So, let us first and foremost acknowledge your sacrifice and devotion that made it possible for all of us to have benefited from Billy's service. His humanity, his humility, and congeniality. We thank you for making it all possible.
Billy was unique, one of a kind, and something that is constant throughout his service--whether at the Motor Vehicle Department, the State Senate, or Congressional Office, he greeted people and answered his call to public service. His humility, and his humanity ever-present as he answered in that unique and distinct cigar voice, ``how may I help you?''
``How may I help you?'' should be part of every teaching and training course for public officials and staff. For Billy, it came naturally. For him it was effortless and genuine, heartfelt, and sincere. It was who he is!!
Now I'm not saying he was angelic by any stretch. He had his faults and an evil side to him. He was an ardent devotee and follower of an evil empire: He was a Yankee fan. Especially in 2007, 2013, and 2018. He did celebrate in 2009 but through all of 2019 when the Sox were cellar dwellers, he would come in the office and announce with a cigar hanging from the corner of his mouth ``does anyone know the standings in the American League East, and do the Red Sox still play baseball?''
He was the envy of UCONN fans and politicians. He got more TV time sitting right behind the bench of the Men's and Women's basketball teams at every home game. When asked how he got those seats, he said ``it was a blessing from St. Paul'' . . . yeah, St. Paul Polo.
And though devoutly religious, and apostolic, and Catholic, he could be critical of a long winded homily in church. I remember being at St. Patrick-St. Anthony with the family and sitting directly in front of him. The priest was going on and on with the phrase ``and may Jesus light a fire in your heart.'' It was rather extensive, and I looked down and all of a sudden saw my children laughing. I immediately gave them the hairy eyeball and scornful look. After church when we were in the car, I said ``how many times have I told you no fooling around in church?'' They said, ``it wasn't us, it was Mr. Ciotto.'' To which I said, ``Don't blame Mr. Ciotto.'' They said, ``but Dad, he made fun of the priest's comments'' and I said ``Mr. Ciotto? I don't believe it.'' They said,
``well you know how the priest was saying may Jesus light a fire under your heart?'' and I said ``yes.'' Well Mr. Ciotto muttered, ``may Jesus light a fire under your ass.''
Well Billy was also wise and was willing to impart his wisdom on the youthful members of our staff. Then Chief of Staff John Rossi was thirty and Billy was a youthful seventy-nine. Rossi was explaining how he told his wife about the important and influential people he was meeting with day in and day out, and the restaurants and clubs he was lunch and dinner at. Billy who listened intently looked at him and said, ``young man you have an important and responsible position. And while I am sure that it's exciting to you and maybe makes you feel good when you are lavishing your wife with these experiences, in my opinion you might try handling it a little different. Having some experience in this field, I think if it were me, you're better off when your wife asks, ``how was your day dear?'' you say ``I was so busy I only had time for a tuna fish sandwich.'' Or as he told Kevin Brown often ``old age, experience, and treachery will defeat youth and ambition every time.''
Billy's obituary was full of the pride he had for his Italian heritage and about what America had done for him. And with justifiable pride acknowledged the journey of his parents as well as his own. This was apparent with his routine drive past the Motor Vehicle building which bears his name. It does so because his parents embedded in him those 5 simple words:
``How may I help you?''
He traveled to D.C. back in 2008 and was escorted by Linda Christiana. His trip was highlighted by dinner at the Italian Embassy with Ambassador Castellaneta. When I saw the Ambassador weeks later, he remembered Billy, and how entertaining and proud he was of his Italian heritage. He added, ``he's even invited me to a Bocce tournament that I believe is at your house!''
That's our guy. And we have a letter here from the Italian Embassy:
Letter from the Italian Embassy:
We, at the Embassy of Italy were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Senator Biagio ``Billy'' Ciotto. In his passing, Connecticut, and indeed the whole US, has lost a great statesman, and a wonderful American, proud of his Italian origins, which he never lost an opportunity to proudly recall.
The story of Senator Ciotto's life speaks clearly to his many talents and innate human touch. His generosity, kindness and dedication were a source of inspiration to the community whom he served with passion, honor, and dignity. Senator Ciotto was an exemplary civil servant, and wholeheartedly dedicated himself to serving this great Country and his fellow Americans, while never forgetting his ancestral land, Italy.
Our sincere condolences go out to Mrs. Ciotto, his family, and the entire Italian-American and American community at this moment of great loss. Senator Ciotto may be not with us anymore, but his legacy lives on, and will always do so through the many people, he touched, and inspired.
Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.
Grazie, Senator Ciotto.
The first time he met with Nancy Pelosi there was an instant bond. She had broken a barrier and was the first woman Speaker of the House. And when he met her, bursting with pride he said ``Madam Speaker you have broken a barrier and as a father with two daughters I am so grateful and proud. But as a young man, I listened to your father Thomas D'Alesandro Jr. He was the first Italian Mayor of Baltimore and he had a Sunday address, he made us proud of our heritage and I listened intently to what he had to say. And now his daughter is not only the first woman Speaker of the House, but as important to people of our heritage and faith, she is the first Italian.''
The bond between them was instant and lasting. A mutual admiration, so much so that after an eight year hiatus as Speaker, when we recaptured the House and took back the majority in 2018, her guest of honor at her swearing in was Billy. And with a cigar in hand and escorted by Sarah Gianni, he took it all in from his front row seat in the House Balcony.
Letter from Speaker Nancy Pelosi
Every now and then, a person comes along whose heart is so full of love and whose life is so full of kindness that he radiates joy: Such a blessed person is Billy Ciotta. Perhaps he had such generosity of spirit because of how his parents raised Biagio and because of his happy marriage to Jeanne.
Everyone loved Billy, because they knew that Billy cared. In his work, whether at the DMV or in the State Senate, where he served with John Larson, whom he loved, he made everyone feel important. In taking pride in his Italian American heritage, he respected others' pride in theirs. In his faith in God, he gave hope and charity to all. Anyone who was blessed and shaped by Billy's friendship wanted to live up to his loyalty.
Billy was in the arms of his loving family on March 19, the Feast of Saint Joseph, the patron saint of a happy death, very special to Italian Americans, and made his passage on the 20th. I hope it is a comfort to Jeanne and his children Joseph, Anthony, Julia, John, and Maria, and their grandchildren that so many people mourn their loss and are praying for them at this sad time. Billy will be sadly missed by all of us who loved him. In his life, Billy brought joy to the world and now he has brought his humor to Heaven.
Nancy Pelosi, Speaker, United States House of Representatives.
We know heaven will never be the same and he's up there with some pretty good company. To be acknowledged and loved by the entire community he served and yes to have the Italian Ambassador and the Speaker of the House eulogize you is pretty impressive. So many words of condolence for Jeanne and the family. So many stories--therefore our staff will be keeping the website open to post on what everyone sends to us of your memories with Billy. And among the first of those that we have is someone who knows something about the loss of a beloved one. Jeanne, we have here a letter from the President of the United States:
Letter from President Joe Biden
Dear Mrs. Ciotta and Family, Please accept Jill's and my heartfelt condolences on the passing of your beloved Billy. Your entire family is in our thoughts and prayers.
I know that this time must be difficult beyond words, and you feel like there is a hole in your heart. In the hardest of times like these, I always turn to family. It is so important to be able to share the feeling of enveloping grief and to have people you love nearby to absorb some of the worst pain.
Billy was a devoted husband and father who loved you all immensely. He spent his life building and strengthening the Ciotto family bonds, which are meant for you to lean on during hard times like this. Your family shared Billy with Connecticut and with the Nation--and thanks to your sacrifices, he was able to help our country's most vulnerable. Billy was a true public servant.
Though the grieving process never quite ends, it is my hope that you will find comfort knowing that Billy will forever be in our hearts and memories and those of so many whose lives he touched. From experience, I promise you the day will come when his memory will bring a smile to your lips before it brings a tear to your eye. My prayer for you and your family is that day comes sooner rather than later.
Sincerely, Joe Biden.
Billy will always be with us. Provided we continue to post and tell those stories we fondly remember. The most important way he'll stay with us is if we follow his example by saying when we have the opportunity: How may I help you?
____________________
SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 167, No. 130
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