[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 6 (Thursday, January 11, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E84]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 TRIBUTE TO THE MIDWAY HIGH SCHOOL'S 1937 BASKETBALL TEAM ON THE 70TH 
                ANNIVERSARY OF THEIR STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

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                           HON. BEN CHANDLER

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 11, 2007

  Mr. CHANDLER. Madam Speaker, today I would like to commemorate the 
70th anniversary of Midway High School's 1937 Kentucky state basketball 
championship. Under the guidance and leadership of Coach G.L. ``Bobby'' 
Burns, the Midway Blue Jays reinvented the game of basketball for years 
to come. The Blue Jays rejuvenated Kentucky basketball and made it a 
truly exciting spectator sport with their up tempo ``run and gun'' 
style of play.
  Coach Burns and his squad of: Jack Penn, Ernest Jefferson, Armon 
Portwood, Carl Thomas, Raymond and Harold Sanderson, James Murphy, 
Sherman and Quentin Columbia, and Karl Jefferson used their natural 
abilities and athleticism to play against their taller competition. 
They averaged only 5'8", the smallest team to ever win the state 
tournament. Yet they persevered, as Coach Burns believed that natural 
instincts and physical stamina, combined with fundamental basketball, 
were keys to success. Coach Burns was right.
  To celebrate this historic occasion, on January 12, 2007, the 
Woodford County Yellow Jackets will honor the ``Boys of '37'' by 
dressing in the blue and white uniforms of Midway High School during 
their regular season game against Madison Central High. Additionally, 
during the halftime ceremony, a giant banner will be raised and 
installed in the Woodford County Gym to honor the Midway Blue Jays' 
tournament win. In March, the members of the '37 squad will be honored 
in a ceremony at the halftime of the 2007 state championship game.
  Madam Speaker, it is with great honor to have this momentous occasion 
celebrated in my home district. The ``Boys of '37'' truly represent 
Kentucky's passion and dedication to the game of basketball. This group 
of individuals will always be remembered as Kentucky's finest and we 
will continue to celebrate their accomplishments for years to come.

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