[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 138 (Monday, September 30, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1823]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING JOSEPH DiRENZO, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. ROBERT L. EHRLICH, JR.

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                      Saturday, September 28, 1996

  Mr. EHRLICH. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to honor Joseph DiRenzo, 
Jr., a friend, fellow Princeton alumni, constituent, and NCAA referee.
  Born and raised in Union City, NJ, Joe DiRenzo graduated from 
Princeton University, which he attended on scholarship in 1956. While a 
Princeton he was an All East tight end on the football team. He later 
played pro football with the Montreal Alouettes in the Canadian 
Football League. He also served in the U.S. Army.
  In 1963 he received his first assignment as a collegiate referee. 
During nearly 30 years as a referee he officiated more than 250 games, 
including seven bowl games; legendary coach Paul ``Bear'' Bryant's last 
football game; and the famous 1984 game in which Doug Flutie delivered 
a game-winning ``Hail Mary'' pass against the University of Miami.
  As a referee, Joe DiRenzo displayed both common sense and great 
mastery of the rules of the game. One of Jose DiRenzo's fellow referees 
said of him: ``He was an outstanding official who has no problem making 
decisions and was hardly ever criticized by a coach. Joe was a credit 
to the game of football.''
  In addition to his officiating career, Joe DiRenzo was a successful 
executive in several oil and real estate companies. He was a 30-year 
resident of Severna Park, MD, and had been active in several community 
organizations.
  Joe DiRenzo passed away unexpectedly on September 13. He is survived 
by his wife of 39 years, Cathy, his son, Coast Guard Lt., Joe DiRenzo 
III, his daughter, Donna Graves, his mother, Emilia DiRenzo, and two 
grandchildren.
  My thoughts and prayers go out to all of them during this time of 
sadness.
  For myself, I am proud to call Joe DiRenzo my friend and mentor.

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