[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 16221]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO TOM VICINI

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. HAROLD ROGERS

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 4, 2012

  Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to 
my good friend, Tom Vicini, for his tremendous leadership and tireless 
dedication to inspire young people in southern and eastern Kentucky 
live a drug-free life.
  In recent years, Tom has witnessed the devastating effects of the 
prescription drug epidemic in his hometown of Lynch, Kentucky and 
across our rural region. Rather than quietly standing by, Tom has 
committed his life to making a difference both as a selfless community 
leader and a compassionate little league coach.
  After earning a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the 
University of Kentucky, Tom returned to Lynch where he worked in the 
private sector and served as Mayor for 13 years without taking a 
salary, due to tight budgets. He is now a Coalition Coordinator for 
Operation UNITE, a non-profit organization designed to combat substance 
abuse through law enforcement, treatment and education, serving the 
Fifth Congressional District of Kentucky. Through his work with UNITE, 
Tom helps coordinate community anti-drug events and reaches out to 
families and individuals grappling with addiction on a daily basis.
  For the last 34 years, Tom has spent his evenings and weekends 
coaching little league baseball, a lifelong passion. Tom is more than a 
successful coach, however. He is also an excellent mentor and role 
model, encouraging players to stay off drugs, make healthy life 
choices, and never give up. Tom makes sure that every child gets to 
play, regardless of talent. All he asks for in return is that they give 
their best effort on the field. Additionally, Tom organizes free 
baseball camps for youth and assists with various drug-free programs, 
including Shoot Hoops Not Drugs and Hooked on Fishing--Not on Drugs. In 
honor of his contributions to the sport of baseball, Tom received the 
2012 Major League Baseball Commissioner's Play Healthy Award through 
the Partnership at DrugFree.org in conjunction with MLB Charities.
  Tom's talents far exceed his boundaries, yet he is determined to help 
transform his small community and our rural region of southern and 
eastern Kentucky. As some of those same little league players have 
grown up, Tom has encountered a few in handcuffs during drug roundups, 
but his immediate response is to kneel down beside them in prayer, 
offering words of encouragement. It is his courage of conviction and 
steadfast resolve to help those in need that drive his unwavering 
kindred spirit. His message of hope and perseverance in the face of 
adversity is manifested every day through his tireless effort to 
encourage the youth of his community to reach for a brighter future.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Tom Vicini 
for receiving the MLB Commissioner's Play Healthy Award, and for his 
unwavering commitment to the youth of Harlan County.

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