[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 54 (Tuesday, April 20, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E710]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    IN HONOR OF THE U.S CHAMPION MOORPARK HIGH SCHOOL DECATHLON TEAM

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                          HON. ELTON GALLEGLY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 20, 1999

  Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the Moorpark High 
School Academic Decathlon as the U.S. National Decathlon Champions.
  This is the first time a team from Ventura County, California, has 
won this premiere scholastic contest. In fact, it's the first time a 
team from Ventura County has competed in the nationals. Team members 
Arturo Barragan, Alexandria Dove, John Ellis, Valerie Lake, Nick Lange, 
Mitul Patel, Ari Shaw and Rebecca Wershba are now recognized as the 
best and the brightest in the country. They are the pride of their 
county and their country.
  These youngsters won by literally dedicating their lives to the 
challenge. For months, these teen-agers studied at school until 10 
p.m., then hit a coffee shop or a student's home to study some more. 
They gave up weekends, vacations, part-time jobs and time with their 
families.
  Their coaches, head coach Larry Jones and assistance coach Michelle 
Bergman, did the same. Larry Jones has said he will retire. Not 
everyone believes him. But, at a minimum, he and Michelle have earned 
some relaxation in the glow of a job well done. We wish both of them 
the best in whatever their futures bring.
  Moorpark High School fielded two teams to complete in the Ventura 
County Academic Decathlon on February 6. Moorpark High's two teams 
bested all the rest, coming in first and second. The A Team then 
competed against the best in California on March 12, coming away with 
the state title, and opening the way for their national title this 
weekend.
  Mr. Speaker, one of the team members, Ari Shaw, served as an intern 
in my office last year. He brought the knowledge gained inside the 
halls of Congress to the contest by giving a speech on his experiences 
here, a speech that won him several accolades. It should please my 
colleagues to know that our young people leave Capitol Hill with 
positive memories.
  As we get ready to approve the Education Flexibility bill this week 
and consider other education measures this year, let us keep in mind 
the members of the Moorpark High School Academic Decathlon team and all 
the worthy competitors they faced from schools across our great nation. 
These are the real people behind our efforts to improve our schools. 
They are representative of those striving to get the best education 
they can, to be the best they can. It is incumbent upon us to keep them 
to reach their goals.
  Mr. Speaker, I know my colleagues will join me in applauding eight 
such real people who achieved a very prestigious goal--Arturo Barragan, 
Alexandra Dove, John Ellis, Valerie Lake, Nick Lange, Mitul Patel, Ari 
Shaw and Rebecca Wershba--the U.S. champion Moorpark High School 
Academic Decathlon Team.

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