[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 29 (Tuesday, March 17, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E398]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           CONGRATULATIONS TO AL HARRINGTON, A TRUE CHAMPION

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                          HON. DONALD M. PAYNE

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 17, 1998

  Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask my colleagues here in the 
U.S. House of Representatives to join me in congratulating an 
outstanding young man, Al Harrington of St. Patrick High School in 
Elizabeth, New Jersey, who was named The Gatorade Circle of Champions 
National High School Boys Basketball Player of the Year. This 
prestigious award honors not only athletic excellence, but also 
academic achievement.
  We in New Jersey are very proud of this gifted young man, who has 
distinguished himself both on and off the court. The newspaper USA 
Today ranks St. Patrick as the Number 9 team in the nation. Al is 
averaging 25 points per game, along with 15 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 
3 blocked shots. A three-time All-Stater and a pre-season All-American 
choice, he will be playing in a variety of post-season All-Star games.
  Al is following in a proud tradition. New Jersey boasts four winners 
of this national award--Claudio Reyna of St. Benedict's, Kris Durham of 
Scotch Plains, and Willie Banks of Jersey City, now with the New York 
Yankees.
  Al maintains a 3.1 grade point average and has performed well on the 
Scholastic Assessment Test. He is a well-rounded young man who is 
involved in a variety of extracurricular activities and volunteer work. 
He held a starring role in the school play Annie Get Your Gun, he sings 
in the school choir, volunteers in a local hospital, and works with 
grammar school youngsters.
  Mr. Speaker, Al Harrington is a young man with a bright future who 
embodies the very best qualities of today's youth. I know my colleagues 
join me in expressing our congratulations and best wishes to him as 
well as to the other St. Patrick's players and their dedicated coach, 
Kevin Boyle.

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