[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 7 (Tuesday, February 5, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E85-E86]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           COACH BILL BELISLE OF MOUNT SAINT CHARLES ACADEMY

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PATRICK J. KENNEDY

                            of rhode island

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 5, 2002

  Mr. KENNEDY of Rhode Island. Mr. Speaker, I wish to insert into the 
Congressional Record letters that attest to the true spirit of 
competition in addition to the sportsmanship of Mr. Bill Belisle of the 
Mount Saint Charles Academy of Woonsocket, Rhode Island. As these 
letters show, Mr. Belisle has had astonishing success as head coach of 
the Mount Saint Charles Mounties, the school's phenomenally successful 
hockey team. On January 5th, 2002, Coach Belisle earned his 696th 
career victory, and set a new national high school hockey record for 
all-time coaching victories. From his 24 consecutive state 
championships to the multitude of talented hockey players he has 
developed, Coach Belisle demonstrates the fact that hard work, 
dedication and commitment to a goal do pay off. I hope that, with this 
placement in the Congressional Record, my colleagues here in the 
Congress can look to him as a model of the type of success that all 
Americans should aspire to.

                                       National Hockey League,

                                   New York, NY, January 22, 2002.
     Mr. Bill Belisle, Hockey Coach,
     Mount St. Charles Academy, Logee Street, Woonsocket, RI.
       Dear Coach Belisle: I am writing to offer my most sincere 
     congratulations on a remarkable achievement.
       On January 5, 2002, you earned your 696th victory with the 
     hockey team from Mount St. Charles Academy. The win over Toll 
     Gate High School set a national high school hockey record for 
     all-time career coaching victories. It is even more 
     impressive that you reached this milestone in only your 27th 
     season, while the previous record was set over a career which 
     spanned 49 seasons.
       The National Hockey League is pleased to recognize 
     accomplishments, which recently have been highlighted by 
     stories in Parade Magazine and USA Today. The fact that your 
     team has won 24 straight Rhode Island

[[Page E86]]

     Interscholastic League championships is a credit to your 
     coaching abilities and a testament to you as a motivator and 
     role model. Your record of winning 88 percent of all your 
     games is a mark that any coach at any level would love to 
     emulate.
       That six of your former players--Bryan Berard, Brian 
     Boucher, Garth Snow, Mathieu Schneider, Keith Carney and Jeff 
     Jillson--have skated this season in the NHL is a tribute to 
     you and your program. All these players are outstanding 
     individuals who obviously received great training.
       On behalf of the NHL, please accept my best wishes on this 
     most impressive accomplishment. I look forward to learning 
     about what I am certain will be even more milestones ahead 
     for you and the Mount St. Charles Academy program.
           Sincerely,
                                                  Gary B. Bettman,
                                                     Commissioner.

                                  ____
                                  

                                    Congress of the United States,


                                     House of Representatives,

                                 Washington, DC, January 22, 2002.
     Coach Bill Belisle,
     Mount St. Charles Academy, Logee Street, Woonsocket, RI.
       Dear Coach Belisle: Please accept my very best wishes on 
     another amazing milestone in your hockey coaching career at 
     Mount St. Charles Academy.
       When Congress returns to session tomorrow after our annual 
     winter recess, I will make certain that the rest of the 
     nation is also aware of your latest accomplishment. The 
     Congressional Record will reflect the fact that on January 5, 
     2002, you earned your 696th career victory. This win by a 
     score of 6-2 over Toll Gate High School at Thayer Arena in 
     Warwick set a new national high school hockey record for all-
     time career coaching victories.
       It is even more incredible that you established this record 
     in your 27th season at Mount. The old record, held by Ed 
     Burns at Arlington High School in Massachusetts, was set over 
     a 49-year career.
       It is certainly impressive that you have led the Mounties 
     to 24 consecutive state championships and that you have won 
     88 percent of all the games you have coached. But even more 
     impressive to me is the caliber of first-class individuals 
     that have graduated from the Mount St. Charles' program.
       Dozens and dozens of your players have earned full-tuition 
     college scholarships to major academic institutions. While 
     many have gone on to play for the United States in the 
     Olympic Games, or to play professionally in the National 
     Hockey League and in Europe, even more have experienced 
     successful careers off the ice. Their journey through adult 
     life has been made smoother because of the great discipline 
     and work ethic you have taught them at an early age. The 
     ``Mount Style'' that you are so proud to instill in them has 
     served these young men well in their careers well beyond 
     their hockey-playing days.
       Please accept my wishes for many more victories both on and 
     off the ice. I also wish to extend congratulations to your 
     wife Yvette, who has been your partner through this whole 
     Mount Dynasty; your son David, who also doubles as your 
     highly successful assistant coach; and the rest of the 
     Belisle family. Congratulations again!
           Sincerely,
                                               Patrick J. Kennedy,
                                               Member of Congress.

     

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