[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 137 (Monday, October 5, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1908-E1909]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      TRIBUTE TO THE BEAUMONT POLICE ACTIVITIES LEAGUE BOXING TEAM

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. NICK LAMPSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 5, 1998

  Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today to recognize the 
achievements of six young men who exemplify the Olympic spirit in both 
physical endurance and strength of character. They are models for their 
peers and a source of pride for their community, the City of Beaumont 
in the Ninth Congressional District of Texas.
  Chris Henry, age 17, has won two outstanding boxer awards. In 1997, 
Mr. Henry was the Gulf Association Junior Olympic Champion, the Texas 
State Junior Olympic Champion and the National Junior Olympic Silver 
medalist. He won the gold medal in the light-heavyweight division of 
the U.S. 19-and-Under Championships and is automatically placed on the 
U.S. National team to represent his country in the World Championships 
in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

[[Page E1909]]

  Quinton Sells, age 14, has won an Outstanding Boxer Award, was Gulf 
Association Silver Glove Champion, Texas State Silver Glove Champion, 
Regional Silver Glove Champion and National Silver Glove Champion all 
in one year, 1998. In addition to his physical prowess, Mr. Sells has 
been recognized by his peers for his intellect, having been voted 
Outstanding Student at Martin Luther King Middle School.
  K'lon Spencer, age 13, has won 9 Outstanding Boxer awards. In 1997, 
Mr. Spencer was Gulf Association Silver Glove, Golden Glove and Junior 
Olympic Champion. The next year he was Texas State Silver Glove, Golden 
Glove and Junior Olympic Champion. That same year he also won the 
Junior National Golden Glove Championship.
  Jordan Burton III, age 13, has won two Outstanding Boxer Awards. He 
was the Gulf Association Silver Glove, Golden Glove and Junior Olympic 
Champion in 1997. He is the Texas State Silver Glove, Golden Glove and 
Junior Olympic Champion for 1998.
  Cymone Kearney, age 12, was Gulf Association Silver Glove Champion, 
Texas State Silver Glove Champion, Regional Silver Glove Champion and 
National Silver Glove Champion in 1998. Mr. Kearney is also the Junior 
National Olympic Champion.
  Bryant Thomas, age 12, is the Gulf Association Golden Glove, Silver 
Glove and Junior Olympic Champion of 1998, the Texas State Golden Glove 
Champion and the runner-up National Silver Glove Champion of the same 
year.
  These young men, whom we praise for their individual prowess, are 
also part of a team. The Beaumont Police Activities League provides a 
safe, supportive environment in which all young people are encouraged 
to succeed. The boxing team was started in September 1996. Since then, 
they have competed in more than 300 bouts with a team record of 176 
wins and 142 losses. They are sanctioned by USA Boxing and have won 8 
team championships. This gym alone has produced 5 National Champions, a 
credit to their coaching as much as individual talent. The coaches have 
volunteered their time and invested themselves wholeheartedly in the 
program. Coach Lee Wheeler went so far as to trade his Harley-Davidson 
motorcycle in order to purchase a van to transport the team across the 
country.
  I applaud these six young men for their dedication, fortitude and 
spirit. I thank them for showing us the courage that exists within us 
all. And I wish them luck in all of their future endeavors both inside 
and outside the ring.

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