[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 75 (Wednesday, May 7, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E848]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO KENTWAN BALMER

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. G.K. BUTTERFIELD

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 7, 2008

  Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Madam Speaker, on October 15, 1986, Christa and 
Charles Balmer, Sr., were blessed by the birth of their youngest child, 
Kentwan.
  Kentwan grew up in Weldon, a very small town in my congressional 
district with a population of about 1,375 people. Kentwan attended O.R. 
Pope Elementary, Weldon Middle and Weldon High School. As a high school 
junior and senior, he earned All-Area and All-Conference honors. 
Kentwan was also an impressive bowler and dedicated a good deal of his 
time as a member of the North Carolina Shrine Bowl Team.
  Kentwan earned a full scholarship to play football at the University 
of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He saw limited action in nine games 
as right defensive end as a freshman, coming up with one assisted 
tackle. As a sophomore, he appeared in II games, and started in the 
final 3 games of the season.
  As a junior, Kentwan appeared in 10 games, starting the final 8 games 
as left defensive tackle. The highlight of his season came against 
rival Duke when he blocked two extra point kicks in a one-point 
victory.
  As a senior, he shifted to right defensive tackle. He earned second-
team All-Atlantic Coast Conference honors and received the team's James 
Southerland Award. He ranked second on the team with 59 tackles, 
including 3.5 sacks.
  In 42 games at the University of North Carolina, Kentwan started 23 
times. He collected 93 tackles with 7 sacks. He also deflected three 
passes and blocked a pair of kicks.
  On April 26, 2008, the San Francisco 49ers selected Kentwan with the 
29th overall pick in the first round of the National Football League 
draft. He's expected to play either nose tackle or left defensive end. 
Kentwan is UNC's 17th first-round draft pick in school history.
  Kentwan is known for his strength, athleticism, and versatility, and 
the 49ers expect him to anchor their defense for many years to come.
  Madam Speaker, this is a great day for the town of Weldon--the place 
of Kentwan's roots and a very significant part of the First 
Congressional District of North Carolina. As friends, family and fans 
come together to celebrate at Clem's Grand Ballroom in Weldon on May 9, 
I ask my colleagues in the United States House of Representatives and 
folks all across North Carolina to join me in wishing Kentwan many 
successful years with the San Francisco 49ers. We applaud Kentwan's 
commitment, determination and dedication in achieving such a major 
accomplishment.

                          ____________________