[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 26 (Wednesday, March 3, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E294]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       HONORING THE TARPON SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS' SOCCER TEAM

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL BILIRAKIS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 3, 2004

  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Tarpon Springs, 
Florida, High School girls' soccer team, which recently won the class 
4A state soccer championship.
  I am especially proud of the Spongers, as they are known, because I 
am a resident of Tarpon Springs. I know how important athletics are to 
these young student-athletes and how their accomplishments reflect 
positively on our community. I am fortunate to have been able to attend 
many athletic events at Tarpon Springs High School over the years and 
always have been impressed with the spirit, determination, and skill of 
Sponger teams, both boys and girls.
  I also am heartened that these fine young women recognize and 
acknowledge the importance of faith in their lives. Team members prayed 
together regularly and wrote the words ``faith'' and ``believe'' on 
their shin guards so that they remembered the importance of their 
commitment to themselves, each other, and their faith.
  I want to congratulate Coach John Freiermuth, and assistant coaches 
Jaimie Adkins and John Freiermuth, Jr., on leading their charges to 
victory and teaching such a fine group of young women about 
competition, sportsmanship, and excellence.
  I also want to congratulate each of the team's members on their fine 
season: Kara Torasso, Brandi Bianco, Whitney Gause, Rebecca Smith, 
Giana Kase, Valerie Viggiano, Paige Beyer, Savannah Brum, Ashley 
Jeffris, Jordan Beyer, Katy Conrad, Maria Tagaropoulos, Kristen 
Freiermuth, Kaitlyn Dassat, Libby Gianeskis, Jessica Miller, Jessica 
Lukas, Brittany Gomez, Barbara Packard, Lindsey Davis, Alexia Berg, 
Megan Nowikowski, and Jamie Ouverson.
  Mr. Speaker, I hope our colleagues will join me in commending the 
Tarpon Springs High School girls' soccer team for winning the class 4A 
state girls' soccer championship and for the outstanding example they 
have set for us, their peers, and my community.

                          ____________________