[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 143 (Monday, October 21, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1932]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO JOSEPH COCCIA, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. WILLIAM J. MARTINI

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 4, 1996

  Mr. MARTINI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Joseph 
Coccia, Jr., the recipient of the 1996 Italian Tribune News Columbus 
Day Community Service Award. Mr. Coccia will receive the award from the 
executive director of the annual celebration.
  As we all know, Mr. Speaker, Christopher Columbus crossed the 
Atlantic Ocean in search of a New World. Columbus' exploration 
represented a service to the world far greater than he ever knew. He 
discovered a New World which would eventually evolve into the world's 
greatest democracy.
  Each year, the Italian Tribune News rewards a deserving individual 
with the Columbus Day Community Service Award, in recognition of 
Columbus's service to humanity.
  This year, Joseph Coccia, Jr., will be honored with this award. Mr. 
Coccia was born in Newark, NJ, to Italian immigrant parents, in the 
midst of the Great Depression. He was educated in the public school 
system until he entered the Army in 1951 and served his country in the 
Korean war.
  After returning from Korea with an honorable discharge in 1953, he 
married his childhood sweetheart, Elda Soriano. Together, the Coccias 
have five wonderful children.
  In 1961, Mr. Coccia opened his own real estate agency and developed 
it into a successful and prosperous enterprise. Mr. Coccia was so 
grateful for this success, he felt compelled to share his prosperity 
with the community by donating both time and money to various local 
charities and organizations.
  For example, Mr. Coccia is an energetic supporter of local law 
enforcement. He was the nucleus of a successful fundraiser to purchase 
144 bulletproof vests for the Kearny Police Department. In 1979, in 
recognition of his generosity, he was awarded a Silver Honorary 
Membership in PBA Local 21. He was the first civilian in 70 years to 
receive this award.
  Mr. Coccia is also a charter member and past president of the Kearny, 
NJ, Chapter of UNICO National, as well as past national president of 
UNICO. As the national president, he pioneered programs designed to 
assist the mentally disabled and was the recipient of the Dr. Anthony 
Vastola Medal--the highest honor awarded by UNICO. Mr. Coccia was also 
honored by the former Consul General of Italy for his invaluable 
assistance following catastrophic earthquakes in Italy during the late 
1970's.
  Today, Mr. Coccia serves as secretary for the New Jersey Cavaliere 
Association, trustee for the Catholic Youth Ministries, a member of the 
Board of Governors at West Hudson Hospital, president of the West 
Hudson/South Bergen Chamber of Commerce and member of the Marconi 
Fraternal Association.
  Joseph Coccia is truly deserving of this distinguished award, Mr. 
Speaker. I ask my colleagues to rise in recognition of the vast array 
of contributions that Mr. Coccia provides to our community, in the 
Eighth Congressional District of New Jersey.

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