[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 33 (Thursday, March 17, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E506]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      IN HONOR OF JFK HIGH SCHOOL

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                          HON. ELIOT L. ENGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 17, 2005

  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise to today to honor the boy's basketball 
team, at John F. Kennedy High School in Kingsbridge, NY. These fine 
young men, whom critics called the underdogs, won the PSAL tournament 
in New York, defeating Lincoln High School at Madison Square Garden 62-
57.
  It has not been an easy season for the Knights, which makes their 
victory all the sweeter. Midway through the season, Coach Johnny Mathis 
nearly had to quit the team. In the past year, Coach Mathis, who has 
led the team for 18 years, lost three toes to diabetes and underwent 
three circulatory bypass surgeries on his legs. Yet, this dedicated 
coach only missed two games all season. He always believed in his team. 
Mathis called the team's win ``very special'' and said he always 
believed we were good enough and that the team worked pretty hard and 
in the team's minds they came in to win the game.
  It takes an extraordinary team to beat a three-time champion like 
Lincoln, but the Kennedy Knights are such a team and did just that. The 
final game was close--and with the score tied and 5 minutes left, MVP 
Emilijano Kinaj sank a three-pointer and the Knights were on their way. 
They worked hard as a team and the results are obvious.
  I congratulate the players and Coach John Mathis for their 28-4 
season record and for winning the championship.

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