[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 40 (Wednesday, March 16, 2011)]
[House]
[Pages H1849-H1850]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING WES LEONARD AND THE FENNVILLE BLACKHAWKS BASKETBALL TEAM

  (Mr. HUIZENGA of Michigan asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. HUIZENGA of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a young 
man named Wes Leonard in Michigan,

[[Page H1850]]

the Fennville Blackhawks, and the community that rallied around that 
family.
  Wes was a star basketball player who, after winning a basketball game 
with the final shot of the game on March 3, collapsed and passed away a 
short while later. That was an undefeated season for the Blackhawks, 
and they went on 3 days later to start their first playoff game. They 
won four additional games.
  At the visitation for Wes's family, I was struck by the rival teams 
that showed up in their letter jackets to come and honor and pay 
respects to Wes, his family, and the team that he led. This team played 
admirably throughout all of their final games. On Monday, this run came 
to an end. But a true mark of character, as I said to these young 
players, is how they respond to adversity. These young men truly are of 
character.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that we rise today and honor Wes, the team, and 
the fans that supported them and that they accept condolences on my 
behalf and the behalf of so many others who have asked, as I have been 
wearing this ribbon, to pass those condolences along to the community 
and to his family.
  We thank Wes for his leadership and all that he has done for his 
community.

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