[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 50 (Thursday, April 7, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E660]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  IN HONOR OF BERKS COUNTY CHAPTER OF THE PENNSYLVANIA SPORTS HALL OF 
                                  FAME

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JIM GERLACH

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 7, 2011

  Mr. GERLACH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the seven new 
members of the Berks County Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of 
Fame and to honor them on their outstanding athletic careers.
  Charlie Engle has been an outstanding softball pitcher for 60 years 
and he famously pitched a no-hitter in 2010 at the age of 79. For his 
career, he has pitched 13 perfect games and 18 no-hitters. In addition 
to pitching in more than 2,000 games and receiving 31 MVP awards, 
Charlie led the Honey Brook Comets to county, district, state, regional 
and national American Softball Association titles in 1968 and 1969.
  Doreen Kase Larson, one of the top swimmers in Berks County history, 
won seven District 3 gold medals, setting records in the 100-yard and 
200-yard freestyles. She also won five PIAA golds, three in the 100-
yard and two in the 200-yard freestyles, setting marks in both events. 
She was inducted into the Berks County Aquatic Hall of Fame in 2000.
  Mike Reedy was a basketball and baseball standout, helping to lead 
the 1977 Wilson Bulldogs to the Berks County basketball title. He is 
fourth on the school's career scoring list. Mike also batted .531 in 
baseball and went on to standout careers in both sports at Albright 
College. He has been inducted into the Wilson and Albright Sports Halls 
of Fame.
  Mike Reitz was an All-State football player for the Wilson Bulldogs, 
leading them to its first undefeated season in 1967 when he rushed for 
1,274 yards to set the school career record of 2,257 yards. He was also 
the Berks heavyweight champion in wrestling. Mike went on to play 
college football at Penn State and Maryland. He has been inducted into 
the Wilson Sports and Berks Football Halls of Fame.
  Joe Stallone, an outstanding gymnast, won 48 gold, silver and bronze 
medals in PIAA competition and was the national high school champion in 
rings and vaulting. After graduating from Holy Name in 1976, Joe went 
on to an All-American career at Penn State. He has coached at many 
levels, including the USA Olympic Festival team three times, and he 
directed the U.S. Junior National team to four world titles.
  Ken Thomason, Reading High Class of 1958, was a football and 
wrestling standout. He was an All-Central Penn League and Big 33 
selection in football and went on to play for the semi-pro Reading 
Keystones. Ken was also a District 3 champion in wrestling and has been 
inducted into the Berks Wrestling Coaches and Berks Football Halls of 
Fame.
  Ross Tucker, Wyomissing Class of 1997, was an All-Berks selection in 
football and basketball for the Spartans. He went on to start in 
football for four years at Princeton where he earned All-Ivy League and 
Academic All American honors. Ross then played for seven seasons as an 
offensive lineman in the NFL with the Redskins, Bills, Cowboys and 
Patriots.
  Mr. Speaker, in light of the outstanding athletic careers of these 
seven individuals, I ask that my colleagues join me today in 
recognizing their outstanding achievements on the occasion of their 
induction to the Berks County Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall 
of Fame.

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