[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 41 (Thursday, March 17, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E529]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING WES LEONARD

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BILL HUIZENGA

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 17, 2011

  Mr. HUIZENGA of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Wes 
Leonard, the Fennville Blackhawks Basketball Team, and the entire 
community who came together in the aftermath of tragedy that has been 
followed by our entire nation.
  The Blackhawks finished their season this Monday, capturing a Class C 
District Championship trophy before their season ended with a 23-1 
record.
  But theirs was no ordinary run for a high school state basketball 
title.
  Their star player, Wes Leonard, collapsed and tragically passed away 
after scoring the game-winning basket for his team on March 3, the 
final game of the regular season.
  With that basket, Wes Leonard led his team to a perfect winning 
record during his junior year. According to all who knew him, this 16-
year-old student exhibited the character, discipline, and affability 
that made him both respected and loved within the Fennville Community. 
His school superintendent described him as ``the quintessential all-
American kid.'' While attending Wes's family visitation, I was struck 
by how many members of rival school teams in their letter jackets came 
to pay their respects to Wes, the team he led, and his family. More 
than 1,500 people attended his funeral service at Christ Memorial 
Church in Holland. These facts are sure testaments to what this young 
man meant to the Fennville community.
  In a massive outpouring of support from his community and even people 
across the nation and world, fans came out in record numbers to cheer 
on the Blackhawks, who played their first District playoff game on 
March 7, just three days after Wes's death. Even in this chamber, as I 
wore this orange ribbon in Wes's memory and in support of the team, 
colleagues and strangers who asked about its meaning knew the story of 
Wes and the Blackhawks and asked me to pass along condolences and 
encouragement.
  Sellout crowds packed the Hope College DeVos Fieldhouse to witness 
the team's playoff games in person, and scores more followed along 
online and saw highlights on such programs as SportsCenter on ESPN.
  The Blackhawks played on honorably through it all, and I want to 
congratulate them on an outstanding, admirable, and courageous finish 
to their season. The true mark of character is how one responds to 
adversity. These young men have shown unbelievable character.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask this House to join me in honoring this team and 
commending all who rallied around them. I would like to express 
condolences on behalf of myself and the people of the 2nd District to 
the family, friends and teammates of Wes Leonard. And I would like to 
honor this young man for his leadership that was an inspiration to all 
who knew him.

                          ____________________