[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 23 (Wednesday, February 7, 2007)]
[House]
[Page H1310]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING TAYLOR SIAS AND KEVIN TEMPLAN

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from West Virginia (Mrs. Capito) is recognized for 5 
minutes.
  Mrs. CAPITO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to talk about two 
outstanding youths in my district and to highlight, I think, something 
that we do too rarely here and across America. We talk a lot about our 
young people in their teens playing video games, not getting involved 
in their communities, not trying new sports, not enjoying the outdoors.
  Today I am very privileged to talk about two such individuals in my 
district who are breaking the mold and are, I think, achieving at high 
levels, but they are also doing it by enjoying the great outdoors and 
also bringing strength to their communities.
  First, I would like to recognize Taylor Sias from Weston, West 
Virginia, for representing our State in the 2007 Bassmaster CastingKids 
National Semi-Finals Competition in Gadsden, Alabama.
  Taylor is a sixth grade student at Robert L. Bland Middle School in 
Weston and is a three-time State champion. Taylor previously competed 
in the 2004 semifinals in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and in the 2005 semifinals 
in Orlando, Florida. The Bassmaster CastingKids challenge is to flip, 
pitch and cast a hookless lure into a bull's eye target. Sounds kind of 
hard to me.
  BASS developed the Bassmaster CastingKids program in 1991, open to 
young people in two age groups, 7-10 and 11-14. The goals of this 
competition are to involve America's youth in fishing and to foster in 
each participant an appreciation and a concern for our outdoors. 
Participants compete in local events conducted by affiliated BASS 
federation national clubs. Local event winners proceed to their State 
finals where each State then determines two to represent their State at 
the national semifinals. From the national semifinals, only 10 
contenders advance on to the national championship. Since its 
inception, over 1.5 million youth have participated in the program, and 
over $2 million in cash prizes and scholarships have been awarded.
  I would again like to congratulate Taylor and thank him for proudly 
representing West Virginia at the 2007 Bassmaster CastingKids National 
Semifinals Championship and wish him the best of luck in becoming an 
accomplished angler.
  Madam Speaker, the other youth I would like to talk about today is 
Kevin Templan of Charlestown, West Virginia. Kevin became the first 
member of Boy Scout Troop 82 to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout. His 
commitment to family and community and church played an integral part 
in this achievement. Kevin worked on a beautification project at Saint 
Peter's Catholic Cemetery for his Eagle Scout project.
  He is recognized by the Boy Scout National Honor Society, Order of 
the Arrows, for adhering to the traditions and values of scouting. A 
senior at Jefferson County High School, Kevin is a drummer in the 
Cougar Marching Band. He attends Saint James Greater Catholic Church 
where he will soon be a member of the Knights of Columbus. Kevin enjoys 
reading, origami and spending time with his younger brother and sister.
  The Templan family recently moved to my district from Bryan, Texas, 
and we welcome them. I would like to take this opportunity to extend a 
warm West Virginia welcome to Kevin and his family. Jefferson County is 
fortunate to host such an accomplished young leader. It is a pleasure 
to serve such devoted young citizens like Kevin in West Virginia's 
Second District.

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