[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 10]
[Senate]
[Pages 14730-14731]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO JACK ROSSI

 Mr. MANCHIN. Mr. President, I wish to honor Jack Rossi, who is 
not only a truly remarkable West Virginian, but he is also one of my 
dearest friends and closest confidants. After tirelessly working his 
entire life, Jack has finally surrendered to a well-deserved retirement 
having stepped down as presiding member of West Virginia's largest 
accounting and consulting firm, Arnett Foster Toothman, and as chairman 
of the Charleston Area Alliance, a multi-faceted economic, business and 
community development organization. But these prominent titles just 
breach the tip of the iceberg since Jack's story is based on a lifetime 
of accomplishments and a lifetime of service that ceaselessly has 
helped our great State of West Virginia thrive and prosper.
  A native of the small town of Coalton in Randolph County, WV, just a 
few counties away from my hometown area in Marion County, Jack learned 
at an early age the importance of hard work and embraced West 
Virginia's cultural practice of neighbors helping neighbors. As the son 
of an Italian coal miner who shared a roof with 13 siblings, Jack was 
no stranger to staying busy with chores and helping out around the 
neighborhood until he was old enough to work at Coalton's general store 
at the ripe age of 12. As he grew older and became intrigued by how to 
run a business, Jack watched the local accountant balance the store's 
numbers. Soon enough, Jack was finishing the accounting work himself 
until he set out to attain a higher education at West Virginia 
University, where it just so happened that our paths crossed.
  I will never forget that day. I was hobbling down the hallway on 
crutches after I blew out my knee on the football field. Juggling 
books, bags and crutches on one leg, a fellow student approached me to 
offer assistance. His name was Jack. I will never forget his selfless 
act of kindness and how naturally it seemed for him to see a person in 
need and immediately want to help. But, as I learned quickly and 
throughout the years of a beautiful friendship, that is just who Jack 
is--amiable, loyal, and gracious.
  We hear about lifetime achievers, but Jack is a lifetime giver. At 
every turn of the road, whether it be as a young boy, as an 
enthusiastic college student, a Vietnam veteran or as a professional, 
Jack has devoted his time and his efforts to helping others and helping 
his surrounding communities. Jack's unwavering dedication to the 
Mountain State, accompanied by his innovative vision, inspirational 
spirit, and savvy aptitude, have helped countless West Virginians, 
their businesses and our communities statewide.
  Because of his passion, discipline, and staunch work ethic, everyone 
who meets Jack immediately recognizes his aptitude for success and 
knows he will work day and night until the job is done. His loyalty, 
trustworthiness and dedication know no bounds.
  Jack has not only played the roles of accomplished certified public 
accountant and savvy business and community developer, but he is a 
devoted volunteer who has always spent his free time joining 
organizations that impact our local communities. He has served as 
president of the Charleston Chapter of CPAs, the WV Society of CPAs and 
the WV Board of Accountancy. He has supported his profession through 
service on numerous committees on statewide and national levels.
  Jack spends countless hours each year in service to West Virginia 
State government. He currently serves on the West Virginia Board of 
Treasury Investments and the West Virginia Racing Commission.
  And of course, never forgetting his Mountaineer roots, Jack currently 
also serves on the Board of Directors of the West Virginia University 
Alumni Association as Immediate Past Chairman. He previously served 5 
years as Treasurer and was heavily involved in the successful 
fundraising campaign to build a new Alumni Center at WVU.
  Due to Jack's unwavering commitment to his community and the 
organizations in which he dedicated his time and energy toward year 
after year, he is also no stranger to receiving prestigious awards. To 
name a few, he has been the recipient of the State Journal's Who's Who 
award for making a difference in the business climate, the National 
Association of Athletic Development Directors 2009 ``Volunteer of the 
Year'' award for volunteering and fundraising for the WVU Mountaineer 
Athletic Club, the WVU Alumni ``Most Loyal Mountaineer'' award and the 
``Life Time Achievement'' award, the highest honor given out to a West 
Virginia CPA by the West Virginia Society of CPAs.
  Time and again, Jack has shown how greatly an individual can 
contribute to his community through passion, commitment and hard work.
  Although Jack and his wife, Joy, temporarily left for a job 
opportunity in North Carolina right after college, they quickly 
returned to the place they call home and there has never been a doubt 
that Jack's roots are truly imbedded in the Mountain State. West 
Virginia is his home and I am forever grateful for his dedication to 
the state.

[[Page 14731]]

  Jack's career and accomplishments are a testament to his hard work 
and commitment to the State of West Virginia. It is a privilege to know 
a man who has contributed so much of his life to strengthening our West 
Virginia communities. I am honored to call Jack my friend and I 
congratulate him on a long and happy retirement.

                          ____________________