Congressman Stephen F. Lynch (MA-09) announced today that President George W. Bush has signed into law H.R. 5528. This law, first introduced by Lynch, will designate the postal facility at 120 Commercial Street in Brockton, Massachusetts, as the Rocky Marciano Post Office Building in honor of the legendary boxer.
"I'd like to thank Mayor Jim Harrington, Armond Columbo, Mark Casieri, Goody Petronelli, and Charlie Tartaglia, the Marciano family and my friends at the Veteran Boxing Association as well as state and local elected officials for their dedication to honoring Rocky Marciano, a remarkable champion and citizen, through the naming of the Commercial Street Post Office." Lynch said. "Rocky’s life was the personification of the American dream. His relentless work ethic, his pride in his community and his determination to excel also made him a shining example of what is best about the city of Brockton. I am proud that we are able to honor him with such a fitting tribute."
Representative Lynch introduced the legislation at the request of Brockton Mayor James E. Harrington, on March 4, 2008.
Senator Kennedy's spokeswoman Melissa Wagoner said, "Rocky Marciano was the pride of Brockton and the nation and it’s fitting he’s being recognized this way in his home town, the City of Champions.
"The real Rocky's legacy extends far beyond Brockton and the boxing world, but its fitting to honor him here at home where he got his start. Naming this post office after him will serve as a lasting reminder of his accomplishments,” said Senator Kerry.
Rocky Marciano was born and raised in Brockton, Massachusetts. He went on to serve his country in the United States Army as a Private with the 150th Combat Engineers. He began his boxing career in 1948 and went on to amass a professional record of 49 wins, no losses. 43 of those wins came by knockout. Marciano held the Heavyweight Title from 1952 to 1956 and is the only professional boxer to retire undefeated. He died in a private plane crash, just shy of his 46th birthday, in 1969.
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