SEARCH SITE

VIRGINIA LAW PORTAL

SEARCHABLE DATABASES

ACROSS SESSIONS

Developed and maintained by the Division of Legislative Automated Systems.

2009 SESSION


HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 864
Commending Johnny Rocca.

 

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 13, 2009
Agreed to by the Senate, February 19, 2009

 

WHEREAS, Johnny Rocca, a renowned Pro Modified drag racer from Leesburg, is commended for his induction into the East Coast Drag Times Hall of Fame in 2008; and

WHEREAS, born and raised in rural Virginia, Johnny Rocca joined the United States Navy and proudly served his country until injuries received from a military operation forced him to return to civilian life; and

WHEREAS, through hard work and dedication, Johnny Rocca built a successful highway contracting business, specializing in traffic signals in the Washington, D.C., area, while at the same time studying electrical engineering at the University of Maryland; and

WHEREAS, Johnny Rocca’s love of racing began when he was a teenager; his first race was in 1959 at Maryland’s Aquasco Speedway; and

WHEREAS, Johnny Rocca first raced with the National Hot Rod Association and then the International Hot Rod Association (IHRA); and

WHEREAS, it was in the IHRA that Johnny Rocca’s skills and exploits as a driver, builder, and owner of race cars became widely known; he won national championships, set records, and raced competitively in the United States, Canada, and Australia; and

WHEREAS, proud of his Native American Tuscarora heritage, Johnny Rocca used his Pro Modified vehicles with names such as “Tin Indian” and “Dark Horse” not only to race competitively but to educate the public about his Native American heritage; and

WHEREAS, after a long and successful racing career, Johnny Rocca now spends his time as a broadcaster, serving as an analyst for SPEED Channel and cohost of “In the Pits Racing Radio” on Washington, D.C., talk-radio station WJFK; and

WHEREAS, Johnny Rocca has worked diligently and with great perseverance his entire life, enjoying great success in both business and racing, all of which he shares with his loving and supportive family, and has been very active in community affairs; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly commend Johnny Rocca on his induction into the East Coast Drag Times Hall of Fame; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Johnny Rocca as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his many accomplishments.