[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 49 (Thursday, April 5, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E566]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO CAROL SPIKER

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL N. CASTLE

                              of delaware

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, April 4, 2001

  Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise today 
as Delaware's lone member of Congress to honor and pay tribute to Carol 
Spiker, a dear friend and National Winner of the Sporting Goods 
Manufacturers Association (SGMA) Heroes Award. Carol Spiker, a resident 
of Wilmington, Delaware, is being honored as a very special individual 
who, through her unique commitment and humanitarian spirit, has made an 
exceptional and lasting contribution to the pursuit of sports 
excellence. She has shown herself to be a dedicated, compassionate, and 
driving force behind the creation of the Wilmington Lacrosse 
Association (WLA). Delaware is fortunate to have her as a resident and 
I am honored to call her my friend.
  In 1989, Carol Spiker's son expressed a desire to play lacrosse. With 
the help of another mom, she established a lacrosse league. She threw 
herself into this endeavor, using her time, talent, heart and soul. She 
spent countless hours doing everything including team registration, 
scheduling fields, teams and officials, coaching, sewing the practice 
pinneys and mowing and lining the fields. Carol found ways to cover 
equipment cost and league fees for children from families unable to 
afford the costs. Through Carol's enthusiasm and dedication, Delaware's 
lacrosse program grew from 24 boys in 1990 to eight different 
organizations in the Delaware league with close to 1,000 players today.
  In 1998, Carol Spiker and her family were in a terrible car accident 
that left her with irreversible spinal cord injuries and confined her 
to a wheelchair. Carol turned this tragedy into a triumph, battling her 
way back from this life-threatening injury. As she recovered, the 
support and encouragement from her family and friends in the lacrosse 
community gave her the strength and courage to keep going.
  Carol Spiker continues to run the league she started over 11 years 
ago with the same energy and compassion as when she began. She buys 
equipment and waives fees for children who could not afford to pay 
otherwise. She promotes the league, encourages the players, supports 
the families, and has been instrumental in helping students go on to 
private schools and colleges.
  I want to thank her on behalf of the people of Delaware for her 
leadership and dedication and for her lasting contribution to our 
state.

                          ____________________