The publication is reproduced in full below:
HONORING JOE LaROCCO
______
HON. H. MORGAN GRIFFITH
of virginia
in the house of representatives
Thursday, February 4, 2021
Mr. GRIFFITH. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor Joseph Charles LaRocco of Salem, Virginia, who passed away on January 17, 2021 at the age of 67. Joe was a longtime coach and educator in Roanoke County who encouraged students and athletes toward excellence.
Joe was born in Schenectady, New York on October 28, 1953. He grew up in Roanoke, graduated from Andrew Lewis High School in 1972, and graduated from Roanoke College in 1976. As a young man, he attained the rank of Eagle Scout and was a standout track and field and cross country athlete, eventually earning induction into the Roanoke College Athletic Hall of Fame in 1998. To the benefit of many young people in the Roanoke Valley, these activities would remain important to him for the rest of his life.
After coaching at Bassett High School from 1978 to 1980, he arrived at Cave Spring High School to teach American history and government and coach boys and girls outdoor track and field, indoor track, and cross country. He loved the topic of American history as well as local stories of the past, portraying western Virginia founding father Andrew Lewis on a number of occasions.
As a student, Joe set several school cross country or track and field records, and as a coach for a combined 31 seasons, he stood out as well. In 1980, he helped David Garlow win the Virginia High School League (VHSL) Group AAA boys cross country individual championship. He also coached future National Football League players Ronde and Tiki Barber. His record at Cave Spring earned him six coach of the year honors.
Joe retired from teaching in 2013, but he continued as a USA Track & Field and VHSL official and participated in the Star City Striders, a local running group. He was also on the Eagle Scout Board of Review. I shared several interests with Joe and join with many in the Roanoke Valley who will miss this outstanding educator and coach and good man. He is survived by his wife Terry; daughters and sons-in-law Jackie and John Downs and Cathy LaRocco and Jeff Black; granddaughter Brigid Downs; and brothers Jim LaRocco and wife Sharon and John LaRocco. I offer them my condolences on their loss
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SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 167, No. 21(1), Congressional Record Vol. 167, No. 21(2)
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