[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 2]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 1789]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




     HONORING MR. ROCKY SANTILLI FOR HIS CROWNING AS 2006 KING OF 
                              BASEBALLTOWN

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TIM HOLDEN

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 14, 2006

  Mr. HOLDEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Rocky Santilli of 
Leesport Township in Berks County, Pennsylvania, for his 2,000+ career 
wins as a fast-pitch softball manager, and his naming as the 2006 King 
of Baseballtown.
  Mr. Santilli started his managerial career in 1959 with the Leesport-
based Rising Sun Sunners, and has since amassed over 2,000 victories 
along with dozens of trophies and honors. With Santilli at the helm, 
the Sunners captured three Amateur Softball Association (ASA) national 
titles, a number of gold medals at the Olympic Festival, and a share of 
the International Softball Federation (ISF) Men's World Fast Pitch 
Championship.
  Due to his impressive record with the Sunners, Mr. Santilli was 
honored with the opportunity to pilot the United States softball team 
four times at the Pan Am games. The U.S brought home silver medals in 
all four games, finishing just behind Canada.
  In 1991, Rocky Santilli was inducted into the ISF Hall of Fame on 
behalf of his remarkable career. Two years later he was enshrined in 
the ASA National Hall of Honor and the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of 
Fame. In 1998 Mr. Santilli returned to coaching and led the Schuylkill 
Valley High School girls' softball squad to a 64-67 record over 7 
years. In 2004, Rocky Santilli retired as a legend.
  Mr. Speaker, I had the privilege of meeting Rocky several years ago 
through Sheriff John H. Kramer, and it is an honor today to recognize 
such a talented and accomplished man who has brought pride and 
inspiration to the people of my district. I ask you and my other 
distinguished colleagues to join me in congratulating Mr. Rocky 
Santilli on his 2006 King of Baseballtown award, recognizing his 
remarkable career in softball, and thanking him for the many 
contributions he has made toward the well-being of the citizens of 
Pennsylvania.

                          ____________________