[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 80 (Tuesday, June 10, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5466-S5467]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        TRIBUTE TO THE ROBERTS VAUX MIDDLE SCHOOL MIGHTY BISHOPS

 Mr. SANTORUM. Mr. President, I would like to take a few 
moments of Senate business to congratulate a group of middle school 
students from Philadelphia. On April 29, the Roberts Vaux Middle School 
Chess Team won first place in their K-8 division at the National 
Scholastic Chess Championship in Knoxville, TN. Competing against 4,300 
students from almost every State in the Union, team members also earned 
individual awards for the third and sixth best players in the Nation, 
as well as for the top sixth and eighth graders in their sections. 
Additionally, Vaux's Salome Thomas-El won a coach's award.
  Collectively known as the Mighty Bishops, or the ``Bad Bishops,'' 
Demetrius Carroll, Charles Mabine, Earl Jenkins, Anthony Harper, Anwar 
Smith, Denise Pickard, Latoria Spann, Alisca Shropshire, Tanisha 
Edwards, Tyeisha Falligan, Donzell White, Thomas Allen, and Ralph 
Johnson have worked hard for this victory. For instance, the Mighty 
Bishops practiced at least 5 days per week for 3 hours each day. They 
used a library of chess books and some computer programs to learn 
strategies for all aspects of the game. More importantly, they 
sharpened their problem solving, critical thinking, and decisionmaking 
skills--skills that will help them not only in competition, but also in 
life.
  Prior to winning the national championship, the team secured 
significant victories at other competitions. This past January, the 
Mighty Bishops received first place individual and fourth place team 
trophies at the Greater New York Junior High Chess Championship. At the 
U.S. Amateur Team Championship in Parsippany, NJ, Vaux received the top 
record of any middle school. I would also note that the Mighty Bishops 
placed second at the Pennsylvania State Championships.
  Mr. President, I am proud of these students. These bright young 
people are a credit to themselves, their school, their families, and 
their community. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the 
Mighty Bishops and in extending the Senate's best wishes for continued 
success.

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