congressional_record: CREC-1996-10-21-pt1-PgE1932-2
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| granule_id | date | congress | session | volume | issue | title | chamber | granule_class | sub_granule_class | page_start | page_end | speakers | bills | citation | full_text |
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| CREC-1996-10-21-pt1-PgE1932-2 | 1996-10-21 | 104 | 2 | TRIBUTE TO JOSEPH COCCIA, JR. | HOUSE | EXTENSIONS | TRIBUTETO | E1932 | E1932 | [{"name": "William J. Martini", "role": "speaking"}] | 142 Cong. Rec. E1932 | Congressional Record, Volume 142 Issue 143 (Monday, October 21, 1996) [Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 143 (Monday, October 21, 1996)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E1932] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] TRIBUTE TO JOSEPH COCCIA, JR. ______ speech of HON. WILLIAM J. MARTINI of new jersey in the house of representatives Friday, October 4, 1996 Mr. MARTINI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Joseph Coccia, Jr., the recipient of the 1996 Italian Tribune News Columbus Day Community Service Award. Mr. Coccia will receive the award from the executive director of the annual celebration. As we all know, Mr. Speaker, Christopher Columbus crossed the Atlantic Ocean in search of a New World. Columbus' exploration represented a service to the world far greater than he ever knew. He discovered a New World which would eventually evolve into the world's greatest democracy. Each year, the Italian Tribune News rewards a deserving individual with the Columbus Day Community Service Award, in recognition of Columbus's service to humanity. This year, Joseph Coccia, Jr., will be honored with this award. Mr. Coccia was born in Newark, NJ, to Italian immigrant parents, in the midst of the Great Depression. He was educated in the public school system until he entered the Army in 1951 and served his country in the Korean war. After returning from Korea with an honorable discharge in 1953, he married his childhood sweetheart, Elda Soriano. Together, the Coccias have five wonderful children. In 1961, Mr. Coccia opened his own real estate agency and developed it into a successful and prosperous enterprise. Mr. Coccia was so grateful for this success, he felt compelled to share his prosperity with the community by donating both time and money to various local charities and organizations. For example, Mr. Coccia is an energetic supporter of local law enforcement. He was the nucleus of a successful fundraiser to purchase 144 bulletproof vests for the Kearny Police Department. In 1979, in recognition of his generosity, he was awarded a Silver Honorary Membership in PBA Local 21. He was the first civilian in 70 years to receive this award. Mr. Coccia is also a charter member and past president of the Kearny, NJ, Chapter of UNICO National, as well as past national president of UNICO. As the national president, he pioneered programs designed to assist the mentally disabled and was the recipient of the Dr. Anthony Vastola Medal--the highest honor awarded by UNICO. Mr. Coccia was also honored by the former Consul General of Italy for his invaluable assistance following catastrophic earthquakes in Italy during the late 1970's. Today, Mr. Coccia serves as secretary for the New Jersey Cavaliere Association, trustee for the Catholic Youth Ministries, a member of the Board of Governors at West Hudson Hospital, president of the West Hudson/South Bergen Chamber of Commerce and member of the Marconi Fraternal Association. Joseph Coccia is truly deserving of this distinguished award, Mr. Speaker. I ask my colleagues to rise in recognition of the vast array of contributions that Mr. Coccia provides to our community, in the Eighth Congressional District of New Jersey. ____________________ |