[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 176 (Thursday, December 12, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1866]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING THE PACE HIGH SCHOOL ``PRIDE OF THE RED, WHITE, AND BLUE'' 
    MARCHING BAND AS THE 2013 CLASS 5A FLORIDA MARCHING BAND GRAND 
                               CHAMPIONS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF MILLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 12, 2013

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
Pace High School ``Pride of the Red, White, and Blue'' Marching Band as 
the 2013 Class 5A Florida Marching Band Grand Champions.
  For more than 40 years, the Pace High School Band has regaled crowds 
at Pace High sporting events, played at parades and events in Northwest 
Florida and represented the school at competitions on the local, state, 
and national levels. Today, more than 200 students make up Pace's band 
program, which includes three concert ensembles, a marching band, a 
jazz ensemble, chamber ensembles, an indoor percussion ensemble, and a 
winterguard program. This diverse and versatile repertoire highlights 
the hard work and dedication of the students and faculty of the Pace 
High Band and is the one of the keys to their success.
  The 2013 Florida Marching Band Championships, held on November 23 at 
Tropicana Field in Saint Petersburg, FL, played host to more than 80 
talented bands from across the state of Florida. The Pace High School 
``Pride of the Red, White, and Blue'' Marching Band began their 
preparations for this prestigious event more than six months ago and 
worked tirelessly to perfect their show, entitled ``Once Upon Another 
Time,'' which featured pieces celebrating different eras in American 
history with sections on the industrial revolution, the civil rights 
era and the space race.
  The assiduous work of the ``Pride of the Red, White, and Blue'' paid 
off during the Class 5A semi-finals, where the band was awarded the 
highest scores in the Visual, General Effect, and Music categories and 
the highest overall score of any of the 80 bands competing in the 
various class semi-finals. The ``Pride of the Red, White, and Blue'' 
then followed their success in the semi-final round with another near-
flawless performance in the finals, where they scored 92.38 out of 100 
to take home the Class 5A championship.
  Pace High's success at the 2013 Florida Marching Band Championships 
is a testament to the commitment and dedication of all the members of 
the band, and it is a great reflection on the entire Pace High and 
Northwest Florida community. On behalf of the United States Congress, 
my wife Vicki and I congratulate the ``Pride of the Red, White, and 
Blue'' on their state championship and wish them all the best as they 
continue to proudly represent our area.

                          ____________________