[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 57 (Thursday, April 10, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2940-S2941]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        CONGRATULATING JEFFERSON HIGH SCHOOL'S BASKETBALL TEAMS

 Mr. WYDEN. Mr. President, I wish to take a few minutes to talk 
to the Senate and America about the great pride that I and other 
Oregonians are feeling about the recent championships of Jefferson High 
School's girls' and boys' basketball teams, the Democrats. Both teams 
have been crowned winners of the 2008 5A state championship, 
respectively. Both the boys' and girls' basketball teams have had 
amazing seasons. In fact, Jefferson is the first high school in 5A 
history to ever win dual championships in the same season. This is an 
extraordinary accomplishment for a school that has only 600 kids in 
their student body and competes with schools that are much larger in 
size all the time.
  The championships capped a regular season in which both teams turned 
in performances that were unprecedented in Oregon sports history. The 
Jefferson girls went undefeated with a regular season record of 27-0 
and won their championship against a very tough Hermiston team on March 
8, 2008. The

[[Page S2941]]

Jefferson boys had a regular season record of 24-1. They duplicated the 
girls' victory the following weekend on March 15, 2008 by winning their 
first state championship in the 5A Division against a very good 
Corvallis team.
  Both teams showed an incredible amount of determination; they proved 
their great will to win and displayed a spirit that would not allow 
them to give up. As a former basketball player myself, I know how hard 
it is to win and play at a high level for multiple games. I am 
especially proud because Jefferson High School has a special place in 
my heart. When I started my public career in Portland, I lived in the 
Jefferson district, so I always feel like it is home.
  I learned a long time ago that the Jefferson community is the heart 
and soul of Portland. That is why I want all of my colleagues in the 
Senate and people around the country to know about the Jefferson 
Democrats' Herculean efforts and achievements. These two teams 
exemplify the character and true values of Oregonians by proving that 
hard work can lead to great success. They have shown that if you really 
work at something and are persistent, you can get the job done on and 
off the hardwood.
  I want to salute all the members of the girls' basketball team and 
acknowledge the exceptional play of their starting lineup Janita Badon, 
Dequise Hammick, Nyesha Sims, Ariel Reynolds, and Tyrisha Blake who 
have proven to be the best girls' starting lineup in Oregon. Without 
the solid contributions from Jasmine Smith, Arquazia Jackson, Daniel 
Dixon, Debbie Blackmon, Arqueisha Preston, Hollisha Watson, Denaya 
Brazzle and Adreya Hudson, the Democrats would not have won a state 
championship. They also had great leadership that took them all the way 
to the championship, starting with their head coach, Michael Bontempts, 
and his outstanding assistant coaching staff.
  I also want to salute the members of the boys' basketball team who 
carried on the tradition of winning that has been built by so many 
Jefferson champions who came before them community and business leaders 
like Tony Hopson, Ray Leary, Aaron Miles, and Michael Lee. Each of them 
began at Jefferson and went on to become winners in life after winning 
championships on the court. It will not surprise me when I read about 
the huge individual successes that these stellar players from the 2008 
championship teams will have in their future. Oregonians everywhere 
will surely be watching as they go off to pursue great things.
  So I applaud all the players on the boys' basketball team along with 
their head coach, Marshall Haskins, and his coaching staff. They put 
together a great starting line-up for the 2007-2008 season, including 
Terrance Jones, Terrance Ross, Tyrone White, Kalonji Paschel, Henry 
Williams and Jordan Black who is known as the best sixth man in 5A 
basketball. The Jefferson boys' roster was loaded with talent that gave 
them an option of a second starting line up that often made it 
difficult for teams to prepare for them when Darrel Nelson, Noah Kone, 
Jonathan Hall, Marlon Miles, Alexander Johnson, Robert Price, and 
Rashad Dent entered the game.
  Jefferson keeps winning against all odds. They are true champions and 
an inspiration for all Americans both on and off the court. Their 
commitment and dedication to hard work has given me a new reason to be 
proud that I am an Oregonian. I will savor this unique moment in our 
State's sports history along with my fellow 3 million Oregonians as I 
congratulate both the girls' and boys' Democrats on a job well 
done.

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