(North Canton, OH – May 7, 2009) – U.S. Rep. John Boccieri (D-OH) will address over 600 graduates, their families and friends at Stark State College commencement exercises May 17 at 2 p.m. in the Canton Memorial Civic Center.

The commencement ceremony will also recognize 32 Early College High School (ECHS) students who represent the first graduating class to receive associate degrees while completing their high school diplomas. ECHS is a partnership with Stark Education Partnership, Inc. and Canton City Schools that provides this opportunity to first generation, economically-disadvantaged high school students who might not have the opportunity to attend college.

Boccieri, representing Ohio’s 16th Congressional District, is a major in the U.S. Air Force Reserve and served eight years in the Ohio legislature, prior to his election to Congress in November. He serves on the Congressional Committee on Agriculture, along with the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and its subcommittees for highway and transit, and aviation.

Born and raised in Northeast Ohio, Boccieri attended St. Bonaventure University in New York on a baseball scholarship. He earned master’s degrees in public administration and business from Webster University in St. Louis. He resides in Alliance with his wife Stacey and their children.