[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 176 (Tuesday, December 9, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2528-E2529]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         LOCKPORT HIGH SCHOOL/CLASS 8A STATE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JUDY BIGGERT

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, December 8, 2003

  Mrs. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Lockport High 
School's football team, the Porters. Under the leadership of head coach 
Bret Kooi, the Porters recently beat the Maine South High School Hawks, 
48-27, to capture their second straight Class 8A state championship in 
football.

[[Page E2529]]

  As any athlete will tell you, although it is hard to win one 
championship, it is a true test of greatness to come back and repeat as 
champion. All season the Porters have passed this test with flying 
colors, which is why I know the entire community is proud of Coach Kooi 
and the team.
  In their drive for back-to-back championships, the team featured a 
high powered offense with one of the most prolific passing attacks in 
the history of Illinois High School Athletics.
  Mr. Speaker, although this is a great accomplishment, it is just the 
newest chapter in Lockport High School's storied history. Over the 
years, teams from Lockport High School have won state championships in 
a number of sports including bowling and cross country.
  But Lockport High School's successes are by no means confined to the 
athletic field. In the academic field, there's more good news. Since 
2000, the number of students taking Advanced Placement courses has 
risen to 420, an increase of 60 percent. In addition, Lockport High 
School students scored well above the national average on the ACT exam, 
and last year, 91 percent of Lockport High School students went on to 
college.
  Congratulations, Porters, for your many athletic and academic 
successes this year, last year, and over the years. Keep up the good 
work.

                          ____________________