[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 53 (Friday, May 5, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E749]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




MOREHOUSE COLLEGE CROWNED NATIONAL CHAMPION AT 17TH ANNUAL HONDA CAMPUS 
                           ALL-STAR CHALLENGE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JOHN LEWIS

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 4, 2006

  Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I wanted to inform fellow Members 
about a recent academic competition featuring some of the nation's 
sharpest young minds. The 17th annual Honda Campus All-Star Challenge 
(HCASC) in Orlando featured students from the nation's Historically 
Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). This year, the team from 
Morehouse College, which is located in my Congressional District, won 
the competition. I want to offer my sincere congratulations to Dr. 
Anderson Williams, Coach of the Morehouse team, along with Jordan A. 
Harris who was captain of the winning team.
  In addition to the sense of personal satisfaction the Morehouse team 
gained from winning, they also received a $50,000 grant for their 
school. The runner-up, North Carolina Central University, took home a 
$25,000 grant. The remaining 62 teams earned grants ranging from $3,000 
to $15,000. Through the program, more than $300,000 in institutional 
grants are awarded annually to participating schools.
  For 17 years, HCASC has celebrated the academic and cultural benefits 
offered by the HBCUs while honoring African American cultural icons. 
Since Honda founded this program in 1989, more than 50,000 HBCU 
students have participated, and Honda annually awards educational 
grants to participating HBCUs.
  More than 320 college students from 64 HBCUs across the country 
competed in the 4-day round-robin format tournament. The top two teams 
from each of eight divisions advance to the ``Sweet 16,'' in a single-
elimination playoff. The final two teams then compete for the National 
Champion title in a best 2- out of 3-final series.
  Nearly 100 HBCU presidents, educators, alumni and community 
volunteers attended the event, themed ``Your Challenging Spirit'' to 
support the participating students. The theme speaks to the spirit the 
students have exhibited to get to this point and may have to call upon 
throughout their lives. Influential PBS Talk Show Host and radio 
personality, Tavis Smiley, kicked off the event with a keynote speech 
at the welcome dinner.
  In addition to winning institutional grants, the one-of-a-kind 
competition gives HCASC students the chance to exercise teamwork and 
establish long-term relationships through unique networking forums.
  The Morehouse team included: captain Jordan A. Harris (Senior, 
Economics), and players Mark A. Bernard (Senior, Chemistry), Anthony 
Christopher Smith (Senior, Political Science & Pre-Law), John Ramsey 
Clarke (Senior, Economics) and Alvin McNair (Freshman, Undeclared). 
They were coached by Dr. Anderson Cornelius Williams (Professor; 
Elberton, Ga.).

  The Honda Campus All-Star Challenge is the only competition of its 
kind and was established by American Honda Motor Co., Inc., in 1989. 
Since the inception of the program, more than 50,000 HBCU students have 
participated, and Honda has awarded more than $5 million in grants to 
HBCUs to improve campus life through facility improvements and 
increasing academic resources.
  Below is a list of the 16 playoff teams which qualified for the 
``Sweet 16'' playoff round in Orlando. Congratulations to all the 
participating teams and thanks to Honda for sponsoring such a wonderful 
event.

      2006 Honda Campus All-Star Challenge Sweet 16 Playoff Teams

       1. Alabama State University.
       2. Benedict College.
       3. Central State University.
       4. Clark Atlanta University.
       5. Elizabeth City State University.
       6. Florida A&M University.
       7. Harris-Stowe State University.
       8. Howard University.
       9. Mississippi Valley State University.
       10. Morehouse College.
       11. Morgan State University.
       12. Norfolk State University.
       13. North Carolina Central University.
       14. Spelman College.
       15. Tennessee State University.
       16. University of Maryland Eastern Shore.

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