[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 144 (Thursday, November 3, 2005)]
[House]
[Pages H9606-H9607]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            EVERYDAY HEROES

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Utah (Mr. Bishop) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Mr. Speaker, Senator Orrin Hatch of my State has 
penned words to a song entitled, ``Everyday Heroes.'' The lyrics in 
part read:
  ``Some people have helping hands that go a second mile.
  ``They're willing to love and lift a brother for a while.
  ``Everyday Heroes live in every neighborhood.
  ``Everyday Heroes, helping in the way a neighbor should.
  ``Giving just a little time; sharing just a little love.
  ``God bless each one of those everyday heroes.''
  Mr. Speaker, I wish to introduce this body to an everyday hero whose 
efforts make the world a better place to live. If you think about that 
in that respect, it is actually quite spectacular. This hero is an 
outstanding educator at Box Elder High School in Brigham City, Utah; 
and I had the opportunity of teaching alongside him before I came to 
Congress. I know from personal experience the dedication he brings to 
his job, and I know how he helps kids every day.
  At Box Elder High School is a charismatic head wrestling coach by the 
name of Mike Ripplinger. He was recently named the Class 4A Coach of 
the Year, shortly after leading his team to the fourth State title in 6 
years, his fifth overall. That goes along with a record 18 region 
championships in the 20 years he has been a head coach. In a sport like 
wrestling, which is very competitive in Utah, that is indeed quite an 
accomplishment.
  The measure of a coach, as our good Speaker well knows, is not based 
on his success and the wins and losses but the quality of the students 
with whom he works. More impressive than any

[[Page H9607]]

championship title is the impact Mike has had on the wrestlers off the 
mat, as he has produced not only outstanding athletes but also 
gentlemen.
  On the occasion of hosting the 20th Richardson Memorial Tournament in 
his tenure, Mike's athletes returned from years past to give him 
tribute. I wish to review a few of those and also add to those tributes 
myself.
  One of these young wrestlers noted that when he was a junior he broke 
his sternum not once, but twice. It was very difficult for him to just 
sit on the sidelines and cheer on his teammates, realizing he could not 
contribute to the success of the team. Most kids would have just 
dropped out at that point. Coach Ripplinger, realizing the pain of lack 
of participation, gave an extra effort to include this kid as part of 
the team. Through his encouragement, this young student learned how to 
persevere and, as he later noted, he made many successes in preparation 
for life that year even though he had no activity on the mat.
  Another former student said that the coach expected us to live with 
dignity, honor and respect for others.
  Another admitted that, when they were disciplined, the toughest thing 
was feeling like we had disappointed the coach because we had all the 
respect for him as a person and as a leader. All teachers seek respect. 
Very few of us actually earn it the way Mike Ripplinger has.
  Those lessons were as important to the student athletes as the 
trophies that they earned.
  When Mike was hired, his principal said, I wanted a coach who could 
build a strong wrestling program but an individual who could also build 
young men. He said this is one of the best hires he ever made. ``On a 
personal note,'' he also wrote, ``my son Joseph, who has found success 
in his personal life as an orthopedic surgeon, found out what life was 
all about from you and your program.'' Even though a three-sport 
athlete, he had little wrestling skill. Through your program, he found 
out what it was like to rise above losing. He found the encouragement 
and desire to keep picking himself up and going on, and from people 
like you he found out how to succeed.
  Sometimes in our environment today we actually do not want people to 
display any outward religious conviction, but through Mike's 
demonstration he showed his goodwill, his strong moral character and 
his relationship with his God.
  At one point, when one of his students seriously injured an arm by 
sticking it through a glass window, one of his other students noted 
that he admired a coach who was not afraid to have a team prayer for 
the cut student.
  Mike Ripplinger is to be commended for not being afraid to help his 
students become better people, as well as better wrestlers.
  Students of Mike recognize that he has a rare ability to make each 
individual student feel like he or she is important, has value, has 
someone who cares. Every year, Mike helps students mature and learn. 
Every month, Mike gives himself to others. Every week, Mike creates a 
learning environment in which kids want to participate. Every day, Mike 
makes the world a better place. Mike Ripplinger is one of our everyday 
heroes.

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