[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 2]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 3006-3007]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO ROCCO J. SOCCIO

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BILL SHUSTER

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 31, 2007

  Mr. SHUSTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Rocco J. Soccio 
of Lewistown, Pennsylvania, who passed away Saturday, December 16, 
2006, at the age of 71 years. This distinguished man is survived by a 
wife of almost 50 years, Barbara Kaley Soccio, whom he married in 1957 
and had three children, Jan, John, and Vincent.
  Lewistown is lucky to have had such a devoted citizen to the 
community such as Rocco, or ``Rocky'', as everyone knew him. For 30 
years, he owned and operated the Parkway Service Store and was a 
partner in the operation of Riverside Wholesale for 13 years. He was 
also a manager and salesman for L&G Athletic Retail Sports Store. But 
those are just his contributions to the business community.
  Rocky Soccio also spent time as an educator and coach at 
Kishacoquillas High School. He taught history and driver's education, 
and served as the wrestling coach and athletic director at the high 
school. The young lives he contributed to were many and did not go 
unnoticed. As recognition of his achievements, in 1965, Rocky was named 
the winner of Valley Forge Freedom Foundation Public Teacher Award.
  Rocky Soccio also had a strong hand in the local government. He 
served on the Blue Cross Consumer Advisory Board for 34 years and also 
spent six years as a board member on the Mifflin County Housing 
Authority. Rocky became chairman of the Municipal Authority of

[[Page 3007]]

the Borough of Lewistown as well as the Mifflin County Republican 
Party. He was a former auditor for the Mifflin County Board of 
Elections, and also found time to belong to the Knights of Columbus, 
the Lewistown Jaycees, the Kiwanis, and the Lions Club.
  To cite each individual accomplishment and contribution that Rocco J. 
Soccio was involved in would be nearly impossible. His involvement in 
the community over the years has been immeasurable. Rocky Soccio 
selflessly dedicated himself to the Lewistown area, and we are all very 
grateful for his effort toward positive enrichment of the community, as 
he has certainly deserved this distinguished honor.

                          ____________________