[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 73 (Friday, May 21, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E952-E953]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO WILLIAM ``DOC'' SAMKO

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES P. McGOVERN

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 20, 2004

  Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I am honored today to pay tribute to 
William ``Doc'' Samko, in honor of his 37 wonderful years of service to 
Worcester Academy--my alma mater.
  Doc has been the athletic trainer at Worcester Academy since the 
1966-67 school year. Throughout his tenure he has been a teacher, a 
healer, a mentor and a friend to thousands of young students. He has 
guided them through injury and defeat with grace and humor.
  I myself played football at Worcester Academy, although I never 
really got enough playing time to risk injury. I like to say I played 
``left bench.'' It's probably for the best. But I knew that if I ever 
got hurt, Doc Samko would be there to help.
  Before his time at Worcester Academy, Doc worked at Holy Cross 
College in Worcester, where he helped the likes of Bob Cousy, Tommy 
Heinsohn, and other greats of that era. A pioneer in his field, Doc has 
been inducted into the Worcester Academy Hall of Fame and the National 
Athletic Trainers Hall of Fame.

[[Page E953]]

  Now in his 80's, he's still going strong. On May 22, Doc will be 
honored at a dinner in the Worcester Academy gymnasium, where he will 
be surrounded by family, friends, and admirers. I only hope the gym is 
big enough, because a lot of people admire and love Doc Samko.
  Mr. Speaker, I know the entire House of Representatives joins me in 
paying tribute to Doc Samko, and we wish him and his family all the 
best in the years to come.

                          ____________________