[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 108 (Wednesday, September 6, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1645-E1646]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    TRIBUTE TO THE NORTHERN LITTLE LEAGUE TEAM OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR.

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, September 6, 2006

  Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this 
opportunity to pay special tribute and congratulate the 2006 Little 
League World Champions, the Northern Little League team of Columbus, 
Georgia.
  The victory by our Northern Little Leaguers over the undefeated 
Kawaguchi City team representing Japan, makes them only the second team 
from Georgia to win a World Championship. While a team from Marietta 
won in 1983, our team is only the second team from Georgia to ever 
qualify for this event in its entire 60 year history.
  As the Member of Congress representing Columbus and Muscogee County, 
Georgia, where most of the young men live, I can not tell you how proud 
we all are of this fine young team.
  The entire city and surrounding community was thrilled by the success 
of its native sons. The Columbus Northern Little League players are not 
only world champions; they are hometown heroes and celebrities as well.
  These young men represented the city of Columbus, the State of 
Georgia and indeed, our great nation, in the finest tradition of the 
Little League, and what it stands for and represents--teamwork, 
sportsmanship and camaraderie.
  The spirit of sportsmanship was no more apparent than this year. 
After winning the Championship game, the entire Columbus team walked 
over to their opponents dugout, and invited the Japanese team to help 
them hoist the championship banner and to join them in taking the 
victory lap around the field. Then, side by side, the two teams scooped 
up dirt from the infield to keep as souvenirs.
  I also want to pay tribute to the parents of these young men. Any 
parent of a little league baseball player, or for that matter, 
football, soccer or other sports knows and appreciates the love and 
commitment needed to be successful in these activities.
  Let me also pay tribute to the dedicated Columbus fans, hundreds of 
whom took the 900-mile trip to Williamsport from Columbus to support 
our team, as well as the other Little League teams in the Columbus 
area, and the many volunteers, sponsors and supporters who have 
dedicated themselves to Little League sports year after year.
  Throughout the World Series, it was clear that our Northern Little 
Leaguers were well schooled and prepared, which in large part, points 
to the hard work and dedication of the team's Manager--Randy Morris, 
and Coach--Richard Carter.
  But it was the members of the team themselves who had to put it all 
together on the field. And I would like to pay special tribute to each 
one of the team members individually, including: Brady Hamilton #6, 
Ryan Lang #18, Josh Lester #4, Matthew Hollis #10, Patrick Stallings 
#25, Mason Meyers #16, Kyle Rovig #8, Matthew Kuhlenberg #7, Cody 
Walker #21, Kyle Carter #19, and J.T. Phillips #22.
  Babe Ruth once said, ``Baseball was, is and always will be to me the 
best game in the world.''

[[Page E1646]]

  And indeed, for the millions of Little League fans around the world, 
the 2006 Little League Championship game will go down as one of the 
best single games in the history of the event.

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