[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 41 (Monday, March 6, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E527]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


          APPLE VALLEY GIRLS HOCKEY TEAM WINS HISTORIC VICTORY

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                         HON. WILLIAM P. LUTHER

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 6, 1995
  Mr. LUTHER. Mr. Speaker, a historic event took place last month in my 
Congressional district. The girls hockey team of Apple Valley High 
School, a local secondary school in my Congressional district, made 
history by winning the first Statewide girls hockey tournament. The 
Apple Valley Eagles, finishing the season with a record of 24-0-1, 
defeated the South St. Paul Packers by a score of 2 to 0.
  Having followed the Eagles' season this year, I cannot overstate the 
significance of this achievement for the future of women's sports, 
especially girls hockey high school programs. Minnesota is the home to 
nearly 25 percent of the Nation's women's hockey teams, and we 
obviously take great pride in our collective hockey skills. The success 
of this initial tournament is a sign of much progress and a very 
hopeful future for the sport. According to Lynn Olson, head of the 
girls' and women's division of USA Hockey, at least 10 high schools in 
Minnesota will add teams next season, adding to the current 130 
nonschool amateur girls' and women's teams.
  These young athletes have become role models for their fellow 
students. According to Jaime DeGrisseles, an Apple Valley Eagle headed 
for the University of New Hampshire in the fall: ``I think a lot of 
younger girls look up to us as role models. I think we'll all look back 
at this and know we won the first girls' State championship and it will 
just be amazing.''
  The Apple Valley student athletes, their parents, and teachers, and 
their loyal fans appreciate the hard work and dedication this State 
championship represents. Their success is well-deserved, and 
Minnesotans can take great pride in another historic first.


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