[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 135 (Thursday, September 8, 2016)]
[House]
[Page H5173]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING THE CLEAR RIDGE BASEBALL TEAM

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Lipinski) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Clear Ridge 
baseball team on winning the Senior Little League World Series in 
Bangor, Maine, on August 6. This is the first team from Illinois to 
ever win this prestigious international tournament during its 56-year 
history.
  The Clear Ridge Senior League Championship team is made up of 16 
extraordinary 15- and 16-year-old men from the Garfield Ridge and 
Clearing neighborhoods in Chicago, all of whom attend area Catholic 
high schools. Their journeys to becoming champions began as tee-ball 
players when they were very young. But this Senior League team only 
came into existence in May of this year. In a short amount of time, 
they were able to come together to form an extraordinary team.
  Clear Ridge showed dominance throughout the summer by not losing a 
single regular season game. In the postseason, they continued this 
trend by winning 19 straight games after a single loss to neighboring 
Burbank National in the first game of the district playoffs.
  The championship game pitted Clear Ridge against Asia-Pacific 
champion, Australia, whom they had already defeated once in the 
tourney, and who were considered by some to be the team to beat. But 
Clear Ridge turned out to be that team, prevailing 7-2 to capture the 
world title.
  The following Saturday, I joined hundreds of people at Hale Park to 
honor players, coaches, and everyone who contributed to the success of 
the team. The title and the celebration were especially meaningful to 
me, having played 8 years in Clear Ridge Little League when I was 
growing up. This team embodies the best of the close-knit neighborhoods 
on the southwest side of Chicago that I know so well. These are the 
people who often seem to be forgotten or overlooked in our country 
today. Many of these kids have parents who are police or firefighters, 
and all come from hardworking, middle class families.

                              {time}  1115

  When I read the names, you will hear a diverse mix of Irish, Mexican, 
Polish, and other Central European names. The championship players are: 
Paolo Zavala, Mike Skoraczewski, Bobby Palenik, Gary Donohue, Gage 
Olszak, Noah Miller, Tom Doyle, Joe Trezek, Tim Molloy, Dave Navarro, 
Mike Rios, Jake Gerloski, Jake Duerr, Mel Morario, Julian Lopez, and 
Zach Verta.
  Of course, these kids could not do it on their own. Team manager Mark 
Robinson and coaches Ray Verta and Will Trezek provided the strong 
leadership and dedication that helped demonstrate the importance of 
determination and the results that come from hard work.
  Clear Ridge is more than just this one Senior League team. Multiple 
teams of both boys and girls compete in various leagues. Heading up all 
of these leagues are President Adam Rush, Vice President Ryan Aderman, 
and Treasurer Jay Derby. Without the work of these men and countless 
others who prepare the fields, work the concessions, and do all of the 
other thankless but necessary jobs, Clear Ridge could not function.
  Congratulations go to the parents of all of the players. They not 
only raised champion baseball players, but good, respectable young men.
  Mr. Speaker, when I met with the team at the celebration, I told them 
how proud they make me, and I encouraged them to keep up the good work. 
Now I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing this great 
achievement by the Clear Ridge Senior League team and in congratulating 
them on their world championship. I wish each and every player 
continued success.

                          ____________________