[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 13]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 18073]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  TRIBUTE TO VASIL AND FLORENCE RUCHO

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES P. McGOVERN

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 28, 2007

  Mr. McGOVERN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Vasil and 
Florence Rucho of West Boylston, MA, on the occasion of their 50th 
wedding anniversary. Mr. and Mrs. Rucho's life together exemplifies the 
finest qualities of the institution of marriage, and their commitment 
to their family, their faith and each other should serve as an example 
to us all.
  Vasil married the former Florence George at St. Nicholas Romanian 
Orthodox Church on June 30, 1957. The young couple met while working at 
the Table Talk Pie Company in Worcester, MA, and romance soon 
blossomed. Shortly thereafter, they married and were blessed with two 
wonderful children, Melanie and Christopher.
  Despite the demands of raising a young family, Vas and Flo always 
found time to help others and gave freely to their church, their family 
and their friends. They never failed to lend a helping hand to a 
neighbor in need, and were there to celebrate the joyous moments as 
well as to lessen the burden in times of pain and sorrow.
  Together Vas and Flo share an extraordinary work ethic and devotion 
to their family that is altogether too rare in these more modern times. 
After they were married, Vas continued to work at the Table Talk Pie 
Company while taking on a second job at the family business, Dian's 
Flower Shop. Mrs. Rucho was widely known in the close-knit Main South 
neighborhood as one of the first women to work at the local McDonalds. 
Her friendly face and warm smile graciously welcomed countless families 
that came to dine at the restaurant. Despite their rigorous work 
schedules, Vas and Flo made certain that every summer their family 
vacationed together with friends on Cape Cod for 2 weeks. Those 
vacations are fondly remembered by all.
  In later years as their children married, Vas and Flo became ``Maya'' 
and ``Papu'' to their five beautiful grandchildren. Their daughter 
Melanie and her husband Fr. Peter have two children, Nicholas and 
Alexandra. Their son Christopher and his wife Julie have three sons, 
Matthew, Brian and William. Family dinners at Vas and Flo's home are a 
feast to savor. Neighbors and family members alike eagerly look forward 
to the magnificent array of Christmas decorations adorning their yard 
each holiday season. For Vasil and Florence, there is no greater joy in 
life than to be surrounded by their children and grandchildren, 
especially during the holidays.
  Madam Speaker, too often in this Chamber we take notice of world 
leaders and historic events without recognizing the families that are 
truly the bedrock of America. Vasil and Florence Rucho have together 
over half a century demonstrated they are one such family. It gives me 
great pleasure to humbly ask that the United States House of 
Representatives join me in congratulating Vasil and Florence Rucho on 
the occasion of their 50th wedding anniversary. I look forward to 
joining them and the entire Rucho family this Saturday evening, June 
30, at a celebration in honor of this tremendous milestone in their 
remarkable life together.

                          ____________________