Walking on sand: the story of an immigrant son and the forgotten art of public service

Rocco C. Siciliano, Drew M. Ross

University of Utah Press, 2004 - Biography & Autobiography - 324 pages

Rocco C. Siciliano Broke new ground as the first Italian-American to serve in the White House as an assistant to the president, Dwight D. Eisenhower. At 31, "Ike's Youngest" attained a prominence not suggested by his humble beginnings in Salt Lake City, Utah. But his upbringing in the Mormon-dominated community, where he balanced the heritage of his striving immigrant parents with his own aspirations for success, prepared him for a wide variety of service. This service included leading a special weapons platoon in World War II, bringing Martin Luther King Jr. to meet with President Eisenhower, and becoming a recognized business leader in California. Siciliano used his expertise in labor, personnel management, and business to contribute substantively to the J. Paul Getty Center, the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association, the Committee for Economic Development, and the "Volcker" Commission on Public Service, among others. The variety of Siciliano's experiences reinvigorates our understanding of the forgotten art of public service. Walking on Sand emphasizes the role that public service can play for corporations, communities, states, and the nation. This story is a gift from the Greatest Generation to the many people who serve America today and will serve her tomorrow.

Contents

• For the Good of Others 19491971: 105
• Walking on Sand: 153
• Toward a Better America 1971: 211

About the author

Siciliano is Chairman of the Federal Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial Commission, Washington, D.C., and the Center for Governmental Studies, Los Angeles. He lives with his wife in Beverly Hills, California.

Bibliographic information

• Title: Walking on sand: the story of an immigrant son and the forgotten art of public service
• Authors: Rocco C. Siciliano, Drew M. Ross
• Contributor: Drew M. Ross
• Edition: illustrated
• Publisher: University of Utah Press, 2004
• Original from: the University of Michigan
• Digitized: Sep 20, 2008
• Length: 324 pages
• Subjects: Biography & Autobiography / Business; Biography & Autobiography / Political; Biography & Autobiography / Presidents & Heads of State; Businessmen; Businessmen - California; Businessmen/ California/ Biography; Common good; Common good - Philosophy; Eisenhower, Dwight D - Friends and associates; Italian Americans; Italian Americans/ Biography; Political Science / General; Political Science / Public Policy / Social Services & Welfare; Political consultants; Political consultants - United States; Political consultants/ United States/ Biography; Siciliano, Rocco C; Siciliano, Rocco C - Philosophy; Social Science / Anthropology / Cultural; Social Science / Emigration & Immigration; Social service; Social service - United States