[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 175 (Monday, December 8, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2474]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   CONGRATULATING THE LANCASTER FIREBIRD'S PEE WEE AA HOCKEY TEAM ON 
         WINNING THE EASTERN REGIONAL SILVER STICK CHAMPIONSHIP

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOSEPH R. PITTS

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, December 8, 2003

  Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to offer my most sincere 
congratulations to the Lancaster Firebird's Pee Wee AA hockey team in 
Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
  Over the Thanksgiving weekend, the Firebirds won the Eastern Regional 
Silver Stick Championship tournament in Columbia, Maryland. More than 
63,000 young hockey players play in these regional tournaments all 
across North America--from Huntsville, Alabama to Vancouver Island, 
British Columbia.
  Champions of these regional tournaments, represent their region at 
the North American Finals Tournament in Port Huron, Michigan in 
January. The Lancaster Pee Wee AA hockey team will now represent the 
entire East Coast Region. If the Pee Wee AA's win there, they will be 
crowned North American champions.
  The Silver Stick tournament was formed to promote citizenship and 
international goodwill through hockey. In that sense, it continues the 
time-honored tradition of using sport to build understanding and 
friendship across national lines.
  I am honored to congratulate the Lancaster Firebird's Pee Wee AA 
coaches Dave Bauer, Larry Collins and Jim Popp. And the Team Manager, 
Andy Lee.
  But most of all, I'd like to offer my congratulations to the players 
themselves: #3 Bob Lee, #4 Jacob Friedman, #5 Kyle Boyd, #7 John 
McCracken, #10 Travis Gold, #11 Jeffrey Branson, #12 Nico Delgiorno, 
#13 Danny Keich, #16 Kyle Troup, #22 Logan Gleason, #24 Ben Bauer, #25 
Josh Lewis, #29 Talon Lewis, #31 Ryan Popp, #44 Alec Collins, and #97 
Christian Grim.
  They have made us all very proud. I know that they will represent us 
well in Michigan. I look forward to continued success from their team 
and, hopefully, welcoming them home as North American Silver Stick 
champions.

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