[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 96 (Tuesday, July 16, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1274]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                         HONORING TONY RUSSELL

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JOHN T. DOOLITTLE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 16, 2002

  Mr. DOOLITTLE. Mr. Speaker, today I wish to remember and honor a 
dedicated public servant, Mr. Russell Anthony Tuccelli. After a 
lifetime of hard work and commitment to his family, community, and 
state, my friend, who was better known as Tony Russell, passed away on 
April 20, 2002. Having completed an eight-year battle with cancer, he 
was buried at sea on May 8th. He was 75 years old.
  Tony had a long and distinguished career working in the news media 
and on behalf of state and local governments. During the 1970s he was 
the news director for both KCRA Radio and KFBK Radio in Sacramento, 
California. He also was a foreign correspondent for United Press 
International and a talk show host for KFBK.
  In 1980, Tony assumed the role of director of communications for the 
Senate Minority Caucus in the California State Legislature. Later, he 
became my district coordinator when I represented the 3rd State 
Senatorial District. I deeply appreciate the valuable service he 
provided me. In 1984, he left my office to become an administrative 
assistant to the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors. In 1987 he 
moved over to a similar position for the Sacramento City Council before 
joining the Governor's Office of Criminal Justice Planning as the chief 
of communications.
  The year 1991 marked the beginning of his decade of service to 
California's Employment Development Department. Within this agency he 
worked as a public information officer, marketing specialist, and an 
associate information systems analyst.
  He was known as a leader in the community through his involvement as 
a youth mentor in EDD's School Partnership Program. Also, he was often 
the guest speaker at swearing-in ceremonies for our newest U.S. 
citizens, giving everyone in attendance a brief history lesson and 
instilling a rousing sense of patriotism.
  Tony is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, Lenamarie Tuccelli. 
He is also survived by his son Michael and daughter-in-law Erin, his 
son Stephen and daughter-in-law Karen, and his grandchildren Angela, 
Raymond, Stephanie, and Ryan. Tony Russell will be greatly missed by 
his family and friends, but his legacy of devotion to family and 
service to the community remains with us forever.

                          ____________________