[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 123 (Thursday, October 5, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1683]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[[Page E1683]]



THE NAMING OF THE CARL RENYA MEMORIAL FIELD ON THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF 
                         CAPUCHINO HIGH SCHOOL

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TOM LANTOS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 5, 2000

  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, too often in today's world, our newspapers 
are filled with stories about all of the things that are wrong with 
sports. Today, I want to take a moment to honor someone who was an 
example of all that can be right about athletic competition.
  I want to report to my colleagues in this House about a man with an 
innocent passion for sports, who embodied the virtues of good 
sportsmanship. A man with a kind gentle spirit, who was an institution 
on the bleachers and the fields of Capuchino High School in San Bruno 
and other high schools in San Bruno, Burlingame, and Millbrae, 
California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an outstanding 
man--Carl Renya.
  A graduate of Capuchino High School and affectionately known as ``Mr. 
Capuchino,'' Carl was the personification of all that is good about 
sport. A lifelong fan of our Peninsula high schools, Carl could be 
counted on to be in the audience for every game. He was such a part of 
the competition that athletes and made rubbing his bald head a pre-game 
ritual for good luck. In addition to attending every game, Carl 
regularly authored a sports column in the San Bruno Herald. Although he 
did not posses the greatest singing voice, Carl took great pride in 
telephoning local high school principals at 6:00 a.m. on game day 
mornings to sing the school's fight song.
  Mr. Speaker, Carl Renya passed away in March of 1998. It was 
appropriate that the memorial service for Carl was held in the 
Gymnasium of Capuchino High School with athletes, cheerleaders, two 
marching bands, and brightly colored banners which recalled his 
commitment to the school and its athletic programs.
  On Sunday October 8th the people of the Peninsula will gather to 
honor the 50th Anniversary of Capuchino High School. As part of the 
anniversary celebration, the school's football field will be renamed 
and dedicated to honor Carl Renya. Mr. Speaker, I cannot imagine a more 
appropriate honor. During his brief but full fifty-nine years, Carl 
touched the lives of all those with whom he came in contact. Now that 
Carl is gone, those whose lives he touched have their opportunity to 
cheer for him. Mr. Speaker, even though Carl is no longer cheering on 
the sidelines, his presence will still be felt at every Capuchino High 
School football game--which now will be played at the Carl Renya 
Memorial Field.

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