[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 125 (Friday, September 29, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1966-E1967]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING HOWARD HANFT

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BART STUPAK

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 29, 2006

  Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a constituent of mine 
who has dedicated significant personal time towards helping mentor and 
lead young people in his community. Howard Hanft, or ``Howie'' as he is 
known locally, has led the West Branch Little League for 21 years.
  As President of the West Branch Little League, Howie has helped grow 
the league tremendously. Today, the league serves 588 Ogemaw County 
youngsters who play on 46 teams. Under his leadership, the league has 
built five new fields, bringing the total number of fields to seven. 
Five of those fields are under lights and groomed with irrigation, 
which speaks to the sophisticated care the league puts into its fields 
for the players.
  Howie's efforts to build a world class little league program have 
yielded big results for the West Branch Little League. In 2005, West 
Branch sent four teams to the state championship finals--two teams of 
girls and two teams of boys. The boys' senior league clinched the state 
title and finished second in the national regional playoffs, one game 
away from the Little League World Series. This year, the same team won 
the state championship and the regional playoffs qualifying them to 
play in the Big League World Series in Easley, South Carolina. At the 
end of the World Series, Howie's team was ranked 11th in the world, 
truly an astounding accomplishment. What is equally impressive is that 
this group of young men won the state championship in a division that 
generally has 17-18-year-olds. Howie's team is comprised of 16-17-year-
oIds.
  I congratulate Howie and his players: Pete Jackson, Troy Lambert, 
Rickie Dodridge, Curtis Lyons, Kyle Wangler, Matt Faiman, Calvin Page, 
Aaron Kihn, Ryan Bragg, Robbie Goulette, Kyle Weber, Anthony Betancourt 
and Mike Noffsinger. I also salute the team's manager Mark Weber and 
coaches Mark Dodridge, Sr., Mark Dodridge, Jr. and Mike Noffsinger, Sr.
  However, Howie's record of success goes beyond wins and losses. 
Thanks to the superior facilities that were built under Howie's 
leadership, West Branch had the honor of hosting the minor-league state 
tournament for 9- and 10-year-old boys last year. In hosting the 
tournament, West Branch organized major parties and giant picnics for 
teams visiting across the state. Some have described the celebrations 
that Howie organizes in conjunction with tournaments as a ``carnival.'' 
As several local residents in West Branch have noted, Howie's hard work 
benefits not only the local little league players, but also the West 
Branch area economy.

[[Page E1967]]

  Howie's deep connection to the sport of baseball goes back to his 
childhood. When he was only 8 years old, Howie began playing little 
league baseball. During high school, Howie umpired younger kids while 
also working as a game announcer. Howie took a break during his 
freshman year of college from coaching and umpiring. However, every 
year after that, he returned to coach and assist whenever he was 
needed.
  In 1988, Howie became President of the West Branch Little League. The 
West Branch community has benefited from his leadership, commitment and 
passion for baseball ever since. Running a baseball program with nearly 
600 participants is both labor-intensive and expensive. Howie has 
therefore had to spend a great deal of time raising money and 
recruiting volunteers. All of the money and manpower that Howie is able 
to marshal comes from the local community. In many ways, Howie's 
efforts have helped rally the West Branch community together, engaging 
local citizens and local businesses to support the town's baseball 
tradition.
  Mr. Speaker, little league baseball is a uniquely American tradition. 
For over 100 years, American towns, villages and communities have come 
together during the summer to watch young people partake in America's 
pastime. Howard Hanft has helped continue and strengthen that great 
tradition in part of my district. I ask the U.S. House of 
Representatives to join me in congratulating and thanking him for these 
accomplishments.

                          ____________________