[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 92 (Tuesday, June 5, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E764]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    LIBERTY HIGH SCHOOL LADY PANTHERS--2018 STATE SOFTBALL CHAMPIONS

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                              HON. TED POE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 5, 2018

  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, for the first time in Liberty High 
School history, the Lady Panthers Softball team is the Texas UIL State 
Class 4A Softball Champions. On Saturday afternoon, they defeated the 
Vernon Lady Lions in Austin with a score of 3-1. Congratulations to the 
Liberty High School Softball Team and the City of Liberty.
   Liberty's rich history of rugged Texas pioneers who settled near the 
Trinity River spans more than 180 years. Today, Liberty continues to 
live up to its rich legacy and community spirit. Liberty is home to 
Liberty Independent School District which provides outstanding 
educational opportunities for students. But Liberty was missing one 
thing, a team State Champion. Jerry Michalsky, sports editor with local 
newspaper The Vindicator, has been a sports writer for over 24 years 
and never been able to cover a State Champion. His dream came true this 
past weekend.
   Liberty County radio station KSHN 99.9 FM streamed the game live 
from Austin. The one and only, passionate, Bill Buchanan gave a play by 
play for fans who were unable to make the trek to Austin. My friend and 
past Liberty Church of Christ preacher, Jonathan Sanford (now announcer 
for the San Antonio Spurs), was the announcer at McCombs Field. He gave 
the play by play live on Saturday. Mary Anne Campbell, President of the 
Liberty Dayton Area Chamber, kept the fans back at home up to date with 
her Facebook postings. Folks in Liberty rallied behind a young team of 
girls who made championship history one game at a time.
   For the last 13 years, Liberty High School Head Coach Karen Slack 
has dreamed of a State championship team. She genuinely cares for her 
players and wanted to see Liberty relevant when it came to softball. 
Her team's record is impressive. In an interview earlier this week, 
Coach Slack said, ``These girls have no fear in them at all and this 
stage never even bothered them.'' Coach Slacks' passion along with 
Assistant Joe Slack and Katherine McAdams will continue to guide the 
Lady Panthers far beyond a State title. The leadership of a coach not 
only improves an athlete's performance but works to instill values of 
hard work and discipline. The community is proud of Coach Slack for all 
her accomplishments as a coach and a leader.
   Congrats to Liberty High School's State Championship team: Jo 
McGinnis, Mikaelah Burkland, Bailey Webb, Kennedy Evans, Kamryn Turner, 
Abbie Knepper, Molly Barnette, Jaylen Prichard, Karli Beam, Baylee 
Chandler, Sarah Lopez, Kara Cannon, Harley Davis, Abby Phillips, and 
Kaci West.
   Saturday evening, hundreds of fans decked out in black and gold, 
waving flags and noise makers, welcomed the Lady Panthers home. The 
Lady Panthers were escorted to the Liberty County line from Austin by 
the Liberty County Sheriff's Office. Dayton Police Department picked up 
the team at the Dayton City limits then Liberty Police Department 
picked them up at the Dayton-Liberty City limits. They were escorted 
all the way to the pavilion behind City Hall in downtown Liberty. The 
outpouring of support from the City of Liberty and surrounding 
communities was in true fashion of Panther Pride.
   Way to go Panthers.
   And that's just the way it is.

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