[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 158 (Tuesday, September 30, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2170]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    HONORING ALPENA, MICHIGAN'S STATE RUNNER-UP GIRLS SOFTBALL TEAM

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                            HON. BART STUPAK

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 29, 2008

  Mr. STUPAK. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the players and 
coaches of the Alpena High School girl's softball team. They were 
Michigan state runner-up champs for high school girls' softball in 
Division I play and I ask that you, Madam Speaker, and the entire U.S. 
House of Representatives, join me in honoring the outstanding Alpena 
Wildcats.
  No one can fault the girls for being disappointed after their 14-
inning 2-1 loss to the Garden City Cougars in the state championship 
game. After years of finishing the season at the district tournament, 
the Alpena High School girls' softball team finally broke away from 
that barrier and made it all the way to the State final in which they 
finished second. Their hard-fought advancement to the State Final is a 
source of great pride not only to the softball team and high school, 
but also for the Alpena community as a whole.
  This championship run was a defIning moment in girls' softball for 
the Alpena area. Head Coach Paul Marwede was quoted as saying ``I've 
been proud of these kids from day one . . . I will be proud of them for 
the rest of my life.'' What this girls' softball team accomplished was 
extraordinarily special and will always be remembered for years to 
come.
  I wish to congratulate each of the players and coaches on a memorable 
season. These players and coaches include: Rachel Gebauer, Aubrey 
Kowalski, Kursten Paczkowski, Leah Cox, Nikki Preuss, Alyssa Smith, and 
Rachel Brown, Allison Keen, Brandy Lancewicz, Kayla Paczkowski, Katie 
Prevo, Leah Ventimiglia, Head Coach Paul Marwede, assistant coaches 
Jason Barbeau, Louie Hoppe, Brittney Kirkwood and Christin Sobeck and 
trainer Brad Nash.
  Madam Speaker, as the Alpena High School girls' softball team 
celebrates a memorable season and a second-place finish, I ask that you 
and the entire U.S. House of Representatives join with me in 
congratulating them on this extraordinary accomplishment. This truly is 
a time in these young women's lives that they will never forget.

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