[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 30 (Tuesday, February 25, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E277]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    CONGRATULATING COACH ROBERT CAPELLO ON HIS 800TH CAREER VICTORY

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                          HON. RUBEN HINOJOSA

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 25, 2003

  Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, I would like to call to the attention of 
my colleagues the remarkably successful coaching career of Robert 
Capello, the long-time coach for Edcouch-Elsa High School in my 
congressional district.
  Coach Capello recently celebrated his 800th career victory, making 
him the only Hispanic high school basketball coach in the Nation with 
800 victories. Even more remarkable, Coach Capello boasts a 69 percent 
victory percentage over his 36-year career at the helm of the Edcouch-
Elsa Yellowjackets. His great success over the years is evidenced not 
only by that career victory milestone but by the many championships his 
teams have won. The Edcouch-Elsa Basketball Team has been District 
Champions for 11 of the past 19 years. They have played in the Texas 
State playoffs in 19 of the past 21 years. They are the first school in 
the Rio Grande Valley to send four players to the Texas High School 
Coaches Association South All Star games.
  Robert Capello is not only an excellent basketball coach, he has also 
been an extraordinary role model and mentor to hundreds of boys and 
girls who have graduated from Edcouch-Elsa High School over the years. 
He inspires his athletes to excel both on the court and in the 
classroom, and has encouraged all students at Edcouch-Elsa to reach 
their fullest potential by pursuing a college education.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask all Members of Congress to join me in 
congratulating Coach Robert Capello for his 800th career basketball 
victory, and for his 36 years of inspirational leadership and caring 
commitment to the students of Edcouch-Elsa High School.

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