[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 171 (Monday, October 31, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1099-E1100]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING SAN ANTONIO VETERAN, EDUCATOR, AND MUSICIAN ALFRED STURCHIO

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOAQUIN CASTRO

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 31, 2022

  Mr. CASTRO of Texas. Madam Speaker, today I rise in honor of Alfred 
Sturchio, who celebrated his 94th birthday on October 30, 2022. Mr. 
Sturchio--or as many in San Antonio call him, Al--is a quintessential 
example of leading through public service. Al Sturchio is a staunch 
defender of our nation's values and freedom, a passionate educator 
shaping our city's youth, and a musician who uses the power of sound to 
transcend any culture, religion, or race.
  In May of 1951, Al Sturchio graduated from St. Mary's University in 
San Antonio, Texas, with a Bachelor of Music Education and a commission 
in the United States Army Reserves. After graduation, Hondo ISD hired 
him to begin their first band program--an all-girls Drum and Bugle 
Corp.
  As Mr. Sturchio settled into his new role, he was called upon to 
bravely serve his country. On one Saturday in 1951, Mr. Sturchio went 
home to play golf, only to find a telegram reading ``You will report on 
or about twenty-four hundred hours on Oct. 31st to Fort Still Oklahoma, 
for active duty.'' He reported for duty, and on October 18, 1952, Mr. 
Sturchio was wounded in action while in Korea. He would spend the 
following two months in hospitals in Korea and Japan. Mr. Sturchio was 
discharged in May 1953 and received the distinguished Purple Heart 
Medal.
  From January 1953 to June 1959, Mr. Sturchio began teaching at Sidney 
Lanier High School in San Antonio. He would lead the school's band to 
receive First Division during their first-ever UIL Marching Contest.
  In the summer of 1959, Mr. Sturchio received a Master of Education 
degree and returned to his alma mater, St. Mary's University, to teach 
with his father, Frank G. Sturchio.
  In 1966, Mr. Sturchio joined South San Antonio High School as band 
director and Coordinator of Music for South San Antonio ISD. He later 
accepted the band director position at Theodore High School in 
Northeast ISD, and after one year, became Vice-Principal for student 
discipline.
  In 1977, Mr. Sturchio served as Grand Marshall during San Antonio's 
coveted Fiesta Flambeau Parade.
  And in July 1985, Mr. Sturchio was given the distinct pleasure of 
serving as Executive Secretary of the Texas Bandmasters Association. In 
this role, he worked with the finest musicians in San Antonio and 
assisted band directors in improving skills with the association's 
educational offerings.
  After thirty-four years of assisting students and teachers with their 
musical desires and abilities, Mr. Sturchio retired from teaching in 
June 1986.
  Mr. Sturchio's contributions to music do not end in San Antonio. He 
has toured with Johnny Carson and Jack Benny; he's played the trumpet 
and conducted for the Ringling Brothers Circus, Ice Capades, the 1968 
San Antonio World's Fair, Stevie Wonder, James Brown, Kenny Rodgers, 
Sonny and Cher, and many more.

[[Page E1100]]

  However, he considers one of his greatest accomplishments to be 
playing for the San Antonio Spurs for more than ten years as the 
``Sound of the Spurs.''
  Madam Speaker, I am proud to recognize Al Sturchio for his many years 
of public service to the great city of San Antonio and the Nation. May 
we all find inspiration and guidance in his favorite prayer quote ``For 
it is giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; 
and it is dying that we are born to eternal life.'' I wish Mr. Sturchio 
the happiest 94th birthday, and may God continue to bless him and his 
family.

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