[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 127 (Tuesday, July 29, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S7625]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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            CONGRATULATIONS TO ST. LOUIS ROADIES SOCCER TEAM

 Mr. BOND. Mr. President, today I congratulate the St. Louis 
Roadies soccer team on their recent participation in the Homeless USA 
Soccer Cup. The Roadies were the first team ever from St. Louis to 
participate in this special event, which was held last month here in 
Washington, DC. I had the privilege and honor to meet personally the 
entire team and their coaches from Peter and Paul Community Services in 
my office here on Capitol Hill before their competition. While the team 
did not capture the title, I am proud of their performance and 
representation of the St. Louis community and my home State of 
Missouri. However, I am even prouder of their personal perseverance and 
commitment to self-improvement after experiencing the terrible plight 
of homelessness.
  According to the organizers of the Homeless World Cup, about 77 
percent of participants in the 48-team tournament go on to better their 
lives through employment, housing, education and/or drug and alcohol 
treatment. The founders of the event believe that it provides an 
opportunity for these men to express actively themselves through 
organized competition to build character and positive individuality. 
Based on their performance, I agree.
  The six-man team from St. Louis was made up of men who were recently 
homeless. Unfortunately, many others suffer from the plight of 
homelessness. It is frankly a national tragedy that we can and must 
end. Nevertheless, the spirit of the Roadies and others who 
participated in the Homeless Soccer USA Cup gives us significant hope 
that we can end homelessness.
  All six men and their coaches deserve high praise. I personally 
congratulate the six players, Oscar Grandberry, Daniel Blue, Doug 
Carter, Labon Smith, Marcus Davis, and Vince Steiniger; and the 
coaches, assistant coach Dena Emmanuelle, coach David Flomo, and coach 
Keith Deisner.
  Let me highlight one of the players named Oscar Grandberry who played 
goalie for the Roadies. His play earned him a spot on the U.S. national 
homeless team as an alternate. He is an amazing story of determination. 
Oscar is a native Liberian and former child soldier who is now on his 
way to completing a second master's degree from St. Louis University. 
Oscar and Team USA will travel to Melbourne, Australia, later this year 
to compete in the sixth annual Homeless World Cup and I wish them my 
best.
  The Roadies placed third in the beginners' bracket of the USA Cup and 
earned the Cup's Fair Play Award. This award is annually granted to the 
team ``showing the best in human spirit and embodying what the 
tournament is all about.'' As an addition to the already exceptional 
sporting culture of St. Louis and the State of Missouri, the Roadies 
are an inspiration to, and an excellent representation of, the great 
people of St. Louis.

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