[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 64 (Tuesday, May 19, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S5142]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   TRIBUTE TO THE WILLIAM E. BIVIN FORENSICS SOCIETY: 1998 NATIONAL 
                      COLLEGIATE DEBATE CHAMPIONS

 Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I rise today to ask my 
colleagues to join me in congratulating the William E. Bivin Forensic 
Society--the debate team at Western Kentucky University, located in 
Bowling Green, Kentucky--for their recent victories at the national 
collegiate debate championships.
  In mid-March, Western won the Delta Sigma Rho--Tau Kappa Alpha 
Lincoln-Douglas Debate Championships at Miami University in Ohio. Two 
members of the team, Mike McDonner and Aaron Whaley--were co-national 
champions in the individual competition.
  Then, in April, Western also won at the National Forensics 
Association tournament at Western Illinois University, defeating Ohio 
State University by a 5-0 decision. Mike McDonner again captured the 
individual title, and teammate Kerri Richardson was a semifinalist. In 
addition, Kristin Pamperin and Doug Morey were quarterfinalists. Other 
varsity members of the victorious Western Kentucky team were Amanda 
Gibson and Aaron Whaley. Novice debaters Mitchell Bailey, Jennifer 
Cloyd and Brian Sisk also contributed to the team title.
  These two debates comprise the national championships in college 
debating circles, and it is extremely rare that one team wins both 
events. Amazingly, this is second time in three years that Western 
Kentucky has claimed both debates. The winning tradition being built in 
Bowling Green is a testament to the strong leadership of the team's 
coach, Judy Woodring.
  Mr. President, Western Kentucky University's debate team is building 
quite a tradition. I offer my congratulations to Coach Woodring and to 
all the members of the Bivin Forensics Society for another great year. 
With two national championships in three years, I expect that we may be 
seeing the beginning of a dynasty in Bowling Green.

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