[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 42 (Thursday, April 10, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E633-E634]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 IN HONOR OF JOHN A. PICA, SR., RECIPIENT OF THOMAS D'ALESANDRO, JR., 
                           GOOD CITIZEN AWARD

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                           HON. NANCY PELOSI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 10, 1997

  Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to salute John A. Pica, Sr., 
the 1997 recipient of the Thomas D'Alesandro, Jr. Good Citizen Award. 
John Pica exemplifies the spirit in which this award is given. He has 
devoted every day of his adult life to service of his country and his 
community, especially the Italian-American community of Baltimore.
  Raised in the Little Italy section of Baltimore by Italian immigrant 
parents, Tony and Maria, John Pica received a bachelor of law degree at 
Mt. Vernon School of Law and a Juris Doctorate from the University of 
Baltimore. In addition, he attended the Maryland Institute of 
Engineering.
  In 1943, John enlisted in the Army and served in the 34th Infantry 
Division. He returned home as the most highly decorated war hero in the 
State of Maryland, achieving the Silver Star, three Bronze Stars, three 
Purple Hearts, a Combat Infantry Badge for courage, and the Roll of 
Honor Award for Distinguished Service.
  John Pica also served with distinction as an aide to my father, Mayor 
Thomas D'Alesandro, Jr. In 1955, when my father was mayor of Baltimore, 
he appointed John to a vacancy on the Baltimore City Council, where 
John served until 1967. During his tenure on the council, John was 
instrumental in passing major legislation of great importance to the 
community of Baltimore. Among his many legislative accomplishments, 
John was responsible for securing Social Security and health insurance 
benefits for city employees and for revising the housing building code, 
which brought about the reorganization of the Department of Public 
Works. John continues his public service today by serving on the 
Maryland Transportation Commission as an advisor to Gov. Parris 
Glendening.
  Mr. Pica's extraordinary professional success has not prevented him 
from active involvement in his community. His enthusiastic 
participation in organizations including Italian-American Charities, 
the Little Italy Lodge, and as cofounder of the Little Italy American 
Legion, merely solidified the great respect and

[[Page E634]]

affection the community of Little Italy feels for this native son.
  Mr. Pica's love, understanding and compassion for others have earned 
him the loyalty and admiration of many friends. It is said by his 
friend that if you look up the meaning of the word kindness in the 
dictionary, you find John Pica. His list of friends have included such 
names as Truman, Kennedy, Schaefer, Nixon, Reagan, D'Alesandro, 
McKeldin, and Schmoke.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to salute John Pica for the honor he has 
brought to the Italian-American community by his many accomplishments 
and commitment. He deserves this award for the contributions he has 
made in the spirit and tradition of its namesake, Thomas D'Alesandro.

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