[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 10 (Thursday, January 16, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E86]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


  CONGRATULATING JOHN OPOKA ON HIS INDUCTION INTO THE ILLINOIS HOCKEY 
                              HALL OF FAME

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                          HON. DANIEL LIPINSKI

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 16, 2014

  Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor John Opoka who will 
be inducted into the Illinois Hockey Hall of Fame as a member of the 
9th class of inductees on January 26, 2014. Mr. Opoka and his fellow 
inductees have demonstrated their personal commitment to the sport and 
the community by enhancing the lives of Illinois' young hockey players 
and contributing to the rich history of hockey in Illinois. I 
appreciate John's 34 years of service as an Illinois hockey official 
and would like to congratulate him on this special honor.
   After playing hockey in high school, John began to officiate games 
while in college. Thanks to the recommendation of a role model and 
fellow referee, Chet Stewart, John was chosen to officiate collegiate 
games at the age of 19. He spent nearly three decades leading the 
college chapter of Illinois hockey officials and also served as 
referee-in-chief for the Illinois-Wisconsin Collegiate Hockey League 
and the Central State Collegiate Hockey League. John led seminars on 
rule interpretation for the NCAA and helped to bring about essential 
changes to the NCAA's ice hockey rules.
   During his 34 years as an official, John has been committed to the 
betterment of hockey in Illinois. He served as Ethics Chairperson and 
Seminar Director while a member of the Illinois Hockey Officials 
Association (IHOA) Board of Directors. As IHOA's Seminar Director, John 
was the first to bring together officials from all levels for an 
exchange of ideas and best practices. In every game that he worked, 
whether it was a tournament, state playoff, or national championship, 
John served as an example of professionalism and commitment to 
excellence.
   John continues to serve his community, now acting as a leader of the 
Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) in his hometown of New Lennox, 
Illinois. I look forward to John's continued involvement in Illinois 
hockey and know that he will serve as a role model to many of Illinois' 
young hockey players and officials.
   Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the 
tremendous accomplishments and contributions of Mr. John Opoka and to 
congratulate him for being inducted into the Illinois Hockey Hall of 
Fame.

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