[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 138 (Thursday, October 2, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1956]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SOUTH SALEM HIGH SCHOOL INDUCTS FIRST ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME MEMBERS

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                            HON. GREG WALDEN

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 2, 2003

  Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, later this evening South Salem 
High School in Salem, Oregon will kick off the school's 50th 
anniversary celebration by inducting the inaugural class into its 
Athletic Hall of Fame. In total, 14 athletes, three coaches, one team 
and two community boosters will be honored in what I am sure will be a 
ceremony filled with many memories of the past and pride for what the 
South Salem ``Saxon'' community has accomplished.
  Lara Tiffin ('86), Athletic Director, Guido Caldarazzo, Interim 
Principal, and the entire selection committee should be recognized for 
their enormous contributions in putting together these ceremonies.
  Although my district does not include Salem, as a member of the 
Oregon Legislature I spent much of my time in Salem, and my long time 
chief of staff and his fiancee are both South Salem graduates, so I 
feel a part of that community in many ways.
  Those of us in Congress who travel extensively throughout our 
districts recognize the unique role high school athletics plays in our 
local communities. High school athletics is a bonding experience for 
the young men and women competitors and a powerful social environment 
for the student body at large. The athletic fields and gymnasiums of 
our local high schools are a gathering place for parents, families and 
community leaders, and the team's accomplishments are often a source of 
pride for local newspapers and media. Perhaps above all high school 
athletics is a forum where coaches pass on lessons of life--not just 
plays from a playbook.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating South 
Salem High School on its 50th anniversary and congratulating the 
inaugural class of the South Salem Athletic Hall of Fame. They include: 
Gary Allen ('63), Gary Barbour ('72), Phil Brus ('72), Phil Burkland 
('55), Dana Collins Amack ('56), Gary Edmonds ('68), Scott Freeburn 
('67), Bob Horn ('72), Dave Johnson ('63), Daniel Moore ('58), Bruce 
Patterson ('56), Neil Scheidel ('55), Jack Scott ('57), and Greg Specht 
('58) as athletes. Dick Ballantyne (basketball '54-'70), Lee Gustafson 
(football '54-'60) and Marv Heater (football '61-'72), as coaches. 
Pappy Aschenbrenner (Principal '54-'72) and Phil Webb ('54) as special 
``Community Members.'' And the entire 1954 football team who in their 
first year of existence were State co-champions.
  Way to go, Saxons!

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