[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 35 (Thursday, March 15, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E378]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


 A TRIBUTE TO ROGER LIPELT UPON HIS INDUCTION INTO THE MINNESOTA HIGH 
                  SCHOOL FOOTBALL COACHES HALL OF FAME

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JIM RAMSTAD

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 15, 2001

  Mr. RAMSTAD. Mr. Speaker, Roger Lipelt is a teacher and coach who has 
had a positive influence on generations of Minnesotans, teaching young 
people the values of hard work, character, leadership and integrity 
while working toward a common goal.
  Mr. Speaker, Roger Lipelt of Wayzata, Minnesota, one of my very best 
friends, will be inducted into the Minnesota High School Football 
Coaches Association's ``Hall of Fame'' on Friday, March 16.
  Roger was the highly successful head football coach at Wayzata High 
School for 22 seasons before retiring in 1998. But if you asked him 
what he did during those seasons, he would tell you he was first and 
foremost a teacher. Roger represents the best and the brightest among 
educators. He's also one of the most successful high school football 
coaches in Minnesota history. Roger's legendary coaching career 
stretched over three and a half decades. His teams captured 17 
conference and two section titles. His career record was 209 wins and 
107 losses.
  Roger Lipelt has been named recipient of virtually every coaching 
honor possible. Those awards were won not only because of Roger's 
superior coaching skills but because of his unique ability to motivate 
his players in a positive, uplifting way. Roger Lipelt has also been 
highly successful coaching both wrestling and tennis. His Wayzata High 
School tennis teams won two Minnesota state titles. ``Coach of the 
Year,'' Minnesota All-Star Football head coach, and Hall of Fame at his 
alma mater, Hamline University, are just a few of the awards Roger 
Lipelt has received. But to simply recite Roger's remarkable coaching 
credentials is to not take the full measure of this great man.
  Roger Lipelt truly cares about people and his community. His record 
of public service is as inspiring as it is long. Besides the countless 
young people he has helped in immeasurable ways, Roger has reached out 
to less fortunate people in his own backyard and across the globe in 
Peru.
  Over the past dozen years, Roger has been deeply involved in helping 
the people of Peru. I have accompanied Roger to Peru twice and have 
seen, firsthand, the difference he has made in the lives of Peru's most 
impoverished people. Roger has spent countless hours with young 
abandoned children at CIMA Orphanage, the teenage youth leaders at 
Bridge House, and the poorest of the poor at Flores de Villes.
  Roger Lipelt has been a friend to many families in Peru. He has 
facilitated numerous relationships that have been helpful in many ways. 
Through his efforts, 26 Minnesota families are now supporting 26 
Peruvian families of Lima's ``Shantytown,'' or Flores de Villes. 
Roger's group in Minnesota is known as Amigos del Peru which consists 
of Minnesotans who are contributing money and other resources to help 
the most impoverished people of Peru. Through Roger's leadership, a 
community health clinic has also been established at Flores de Villes.
  Just like the young students whose lives Roger impacted at Wayzata 
High School, Roger Lipelt is now changing lives a continent away.
  Mr. Speaker, Roger Lipelt is an amazing humanitarian and a legendary 
football coach. Please join me in honoring this great Minnesotan on his 
induction into the Minnesota High School Football Coaches Association's 
Hall of Fame. Roger is truly most deserving of our special recognition.

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