[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 83 (Monday, June 14, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1245]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING THE OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE RAGIN CAJUN AMATEUR 
                              BOXING CLUB

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHRISTOPHER JOHN

                              of louisiana

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 14, 1999

  Mr. JOHN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a very special group 
of young athletes. These young boxers, along with their coach Beau 
Williford, comprise Lafayette, Louisiana's Ragin Cajun Amateur Boxing 
Club.
  Over the Memorial Day district work period, I had the privilege of 
visiting their gym and witnessing first-hand the remarkable program 
that Mr. Williford leads. Everyday after school, Mr. Williford's gym 
becomes a training ground for the next generation of boxers. He not 
only provides these youngsters with a place to train, but he also 
provides the life instruction and guidance that many of these kids so 
desperately need. My experience at his gym convinced me of just how 
vital the need for such programs is in communities throughout the 
United States. In fact, research has shown that students who 
participate in after-school programs exhibit higher levels of 
achievement in reading, math, and other subjects. These students also 
exhibit improved grades, reading ability, attendance levels, homework 
completion, and increased graduation and enrollment in post secondary 
education.
  In 1982, Beau Williford opened Beau Williford's Boxing Academy and 
began the Ragin Cajun Amateur Boxing Club. Mr. Williford's Boxing 
Academy soon became a place where young people could productively spend 
their after school time under the wing of an inspirational coach. 
Indeed, nine gold medals were recently won by young athletes who 
competed at the 1999 Junior Olympics and Under 19 competitions in 
Natchitoches, LA, on May 14-16, 1999.
  Beau Williford deserves special acknowledgement for his devotion to 
the physical and personal development of the youngsters he takes in. A 
former boxer and trainer of six boxing champions, Mr. Williford offers 
these kids a place where they can relieve stress through exercise while 
socializing with others their age. Several of the young people he 
trains were troubled youths without motivation, discipline, or 
direction. Under Mr. Williford's guidance, their lives have been turned 
around. Those who were once making failing grades in school are now 
making straight A's. In addition, the parents of these young athletes 
claim that not only are their children doing great as boxers, but they 
are doing much better as children. They are more disciplined and have 
gained a sense of self-respect.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to individually recognize these outstanding 
youths who have worked hard to earn the title of ``champion.'' Please 
join me in extending a warm voice of recognition to Jared Hidalgo, a 
sixteen year-old Carencro High School junior who won the 178-pound 
division gold medal; to Harold Breaux, a seventeen year-old Northside 
High School junior who won the 165-pound division gold medal; to Mark 
Megna, an eight year-old Woodvale Elementary School student who won the 
Gold in the 60-pound bantam division; to John Ross Prudhomme, an 
eleven-year old Westminister Academy student who won the Gold in the 
85-pound junior division; to Jacob Carriere, an eleven year-old Edgar 
Martin Middle School student who won the Gold in the 65-pound junior 
division; to Clay Johnson, an eleven year-old S.J. Montgomery student 
who won the Gold in the 95-pound junior division; to Michael Carriere, 
a fourteen year-old Edgar Martin Middle School student who won the Gold 
in the 156-pound intermediate division; to Darren Johnson, a fourteen 
year-old Lawtell Middle School student who won the Gold in the super 
heavy weight intermediate division; and to Wesley Williford, a fourteen 
year-old Lafayette Middle School student who won the Gold in the 156-
pound senior division.
  These youngsters are guided by an outstanding group of coaches who 
also deserve our recognition. In addition to the guidance of Beau 
Williford, Coaches Gene Hidalgo, Walter Dugas, Mark Peters, Sean 
McGraw, Lenny Johnson, Harold Breaux, Sr., and Deidre Gogarty work with 
these kids on a daily basis. Along with team manager Christian 
Williford, this outstanding group of adults is committed to the 
direction and success of these young athletes.
  The hard work and discipline that Mr. Williford and his team inspire 
in these young people not only produces athletic growth, but personal 
growth as well. Studies have shown that sustained positive interactions 
with adults contribute to the overall development of young people and 
their achievement in school. At a time in our country when youth 
violence is on the rise and we are searching for answers, Mr. Williford 
and the Ragin Cajun Amateur Boxing Club have found their own solution. 
He and his young boxers were an inspiration to me, and in recognizing 
them today I hope that his story will inspire others to take an active 
role in the lives of our youth.

                          ____________________