[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 28 (Tuesday, March 5, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E274-E275]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




IN HONOR OF JOHN NICARETTA: A DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMAN NAMED MAN OF THE 
                                  YEAR

                                 ______


                          HON. ROBERT MENENDEZ

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 5, 1996

  Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a 
distinguished gentleman,

[[Page E275]]

John Nicaretta, who was named man of the year by the Bayonne Chapter of 
UNICO. He was honored at a black tie dinner dance at the Richfield 
Regency in Verona on Saturday, March 2.
  Saturday's festivities celebrated the many contributions made by Mr. 
Nicaretta to his family, country, and community. Being 1 of 12 
children, family holds a prominent place in the life of Mr. Nicaretta. 
While attending Bayonne Technical High School, he helped his parents by 
doing odd jobs before and after class. As a young adult, Mr. Nicaretta 
worked in the kitchen of Balbo's Riviera Restaurant which was run by 
his family. On November 12, 1955, our honoree married Helen Dragshchuk. 
The union produced two children Catherine and John. In 1970, Mr. 
Nicaretta established Nicaretta Construction Co. with his brother Gino.
  Duty to his country has played a significant role for Mr. Nicaretta. 
He enlisted in the U.S. Army in July 1951 at which time he attended 
basic infantry training and cooking school at Fort Dix, NJ. The 
following January Mr. Nicaretta was sent to Korea where he was promoted 
to mess sergeant for the 151st Combat Engineers Headquarters Co., I 
Corp Division. Previous experience with his family's restaurant 
assisted Mr. Nicaretta in preparation of meals for 300 men per day.
  Community involvement has been a consistent theme in Mr. Nicaretta's 
life. Through the construction company, he started with his brother, 
Mr. Nicaretta contributed to a number of community oriented endeavors. 
His donation to the ``Adopt-A-School Program'' of Bayonne helped design 
two programs at the John Bailey School to promote reading and student 
recognition. Also benefiting from Mr. Nicaretta's generosity has been 
Boy Scout Camp Louis and the ``Cleaner and Greener Project,'' which 
plants trees in Hudson County Park. Among the numerous organizations to 
which he belongs are the Assumption Catholic War Veterans, Bayonne 
Chamber of Commerce, Sons of Italy and the Bayonne Sicilian Citizens 
Club. Mr. Nicaretta is an active member of Our Lady of the Assumption 
Parish where he volunteers his time and talents.
  It is an honor to have such an outstanding and caring individual 
residing in my district. John Nicaretta is a dedicated community 
leader. I am certain my colleagues will join me in recognition of this 
well deserved honor.

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