[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 186 (Tuesday, December 6, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2193]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       HONORING MARIPOSA COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL GRIZZLY MARCHING BAND

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF DENHAM

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 6, 2011

  Mr. DENHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge and honor 
Mariposa County High School Grizzly Marching Band that was selected to 
perform in the 92nd Annual NYC Veterans Day Parade commemorating the 
10th Anniversary Tribute to The World Trade Center, and The Band of 
Pride Tribute Mass Band Performance on November 10, 2011.
  The selection committee consisted of The Mayor's Office of Veterans' 
Affairs, The Honorable Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, The United War 
Veterans' Council and Melinda Marinoff, The NYC Veterans Day Parade's 
Official Marching Band and Youth Sponsor. They selected the band 
because of their incredible reputation for fostering personal growth 
and development through music, their style and talent, and their 
respect for the flag.
  The band joined fewer than 20 other high school bands from the entire 
United States to participate with several international bands to form a 
``Band of Pride.'' They were the only high school band from California.
  It was a great honor for the band members to be invited to 
participate in such a magnificent and touching tribute to all those who 
have served our country and to the victims of 9/11. Even more so, it 
had special meaning for the band director, Dr. Phillip M. Smith, a 
disabled decorated veteran who has served his country for over 35 
years. In addition, he is a member of their local VFW Post 6042, and is 
a recently retired reservist. In his lifelong spirit of service, Dr. 
Smith has donated his time for over the last ten years by directing our 
MCHS Grizzly Band. He has inspired, mentored, and been a staunch 
supporter of the last decade of band kids. The kids can count on him to 
love and accept them at all times.
  In addition to the great honor of marching in the N.Y.C. Veterans Day 
Parade, the Mariposa County High School Grizzly Marching Band had the 
distinction of being selected as one of only 36 high school bands from 
across the United States to receive a GRAMMY Signature Schools 
Enterprise Award. In addition to this award, they have also amassed the 
following: 1st Place, Band and Drum Major--Selma Band Review; highest 
rating for Division D band in Northern California Band Association 
history, October 2011; Local Heroes Award presented by Mariposa Chamber 
of Commerce, October 2011; 3rd Place, Fresno Fair Band Review, October 
2011; 1st Place, Oakhurst Heritage Days Parade, September 2011; 
Mariposa's Fair Parade was dedicated to MCHS Grizzly Band; Silver 
Medal, Forum Festivals Concert Band Contest, Spring 2011; 3rd in 
Division, Band and Color Guard, Merced CCBR, November 2010; 1st place 
Band and Drum Major, Selma Marching Band Festival, October 2010; 4th, 
Southern California Forum Festivals Concert Band, Los Angeles, Spring 
2010; Gold Medal, Forum Festivals Concert Band Contest, Spring 2009; 
and the Signature Schools Enterprise Award, June 2011.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing the Mariposa County High 
School Grizzly Marching Band for their hard work and in wishing them 
great success in their future endeavors.