[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 59 (Thursday, April 4, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E411-E412]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   IN RECOGNITION OF THE NORTH KANSAS CITY HORNETS STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

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                          HON. EMANUEL CLEAVER

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 4, 2019

  Mr. CLEAVER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the Missouri 
Class 5 State Championship won by the North Kansas City High School 
Lady Hornets basketball team. Such an achievement is the result of 
strong leadership and years of dedication by both players and coaches 
alike. It is truly an honor to recognize this exemplary group of 
athletes from the Fifth District of Missouri.
  Claiming the State Title was the culmination of years of discipline 
and hard work on the part of the entire Lady Hornets team. For the past 
three years the Lady Hornets were the District Champions, and for the 
last four years they were also the Suburban White-Division Conference 
Champions, unfortunately falling short in the State Playoffs. However, 
under the leadership of Head Coach Jeffery Lacy, this senior class was 
not content concluding their high school careers with anything short of 
a State Championship. The Lady Hornets' tremendous success this past 
season--with twenty-nine victories compared to a mere two losses--was 
the fruition of years of hard work and a ``never-give-up'' attitude 
cultivated by these remarkable athletes and coaching staff during their 
time at North Kansas City High School. It brings me great joy in saying 
that their hard work paid off with a sound victory in the State 
Championship on March 16, 2019.
  Coming to Jefferson City this year, the Lady Hornets were pegged as 
the underdogs to the high-scoring and hometown Jefferson City Lady 
Jays. Despite the doubts, the Hornets remained focused on their 
ultimate goal. They maintained a mindset of excelling, no matter the 
obstacle, and marched through the State Tournament with an ``us-
against-the-world'' attitude. The Lady Hornets' road to becoming North 
Kansas City's first female State Champions is a journey that has been 
followed by the entire community, witnessing what is possible when a 
group of individuals come together and dedicate themselves in pursuit 
of a common goal.

[[Page E412]]

  But, the great thing about athletics is they help to create 
opportunities in other aspects of life. The Lady Hornets' success has 
already paid off in a multitude of ways, opening doors for several 
players. A number of them will continue their basketball careers, and 
most importantly their education, at Division I universities such as 
the University of Kansas. Whether they know it or not, they will take 
with them the life lessons learned throughout their time at North 
Kansas City High School and as a part of this team. With the North 
Kansas City community, I look forward to seeing where each of these 
players will go and how future players will develop under the 
leadership of coaches like Jeffery Lacy and John West.
  Madam Speaker, please join with me in celebrating the North Kansas 
City Lady Hornets and the State Championship they have brought home to 
Kansas City.

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