[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 96 (Monday, June 10, 2019)]
[House]
[Pages H4376-H4377]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    ANNUAL CONGRESSIONAL SOCCER MATCH RAISES MONEY FOR YOUTH SOCCER

  (Mr. LARSEN of Washington asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute.)
  Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Madam Speaker, a few weeks ago, Democrats 
and Republicans engaged in the annual Congressional Soccer Match, and 
we are taking a very brief amount of time here to announce the outcome 
of that Congressional Soccer Match. In a few moments, I will recognize 
my Representative friend from Nebraska.
  This is an important timing of this particular recognition because 
tomorrow the U.S. Women's national team kicks off at 3 p.m. to defend 
their World Cup title. For those in the Pacific Northwest, that is 
noon. I am encouraging everyone to watch that game if it is possible.
  So we are here to recognize the Women's national team, but also to 
recognize the winners of this year's Congressional Soccer Match, the 
Republicans.
  Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Bacon).
  Mr. BACON. Madam Speaker, I appreciate Mr. Larsen's team spirit, good 
sportsmanship here, and good cheer.
  Again, I just want to thank Mr. Larsen, Ms. Castor, and also Mr. 
LaHood. We are the co-chairs of the Soccer Caucus here in the Congress. 
I really loved working with the other three here.
  I also appreciate the good sportsmanship here. We stuck out a good 
victory despite the heroics on your side, Madam Speaker. But we gave it 
all. Some of these great new players on our side really did the heavy 
lifting.
  I want to thank the U.S. Soccer Foundation for putting this together 
and for their great fundraising. The important thing is the U.S. Soccer 
Foundation raised tremendous amounts of money for youth soccer.
  That is what we want to do. We want to make youth soccer more 
prevalent

[[Page H4377]]

and more readily accessible for all our youth. It teaches teamwork, and 
it is good for physical conditioning. You learn about following the 
rules and taking orders from the coach. It is great for growing up and 
learning how to be a more responsible adult.
  So it is a great team that put this together.
  I appreciate all the Members who played. We also appreciate the staff 
members as well as some of the professionals who came out to help bring 
in more people.
  We worked together as a team to bring the World Cup to North America 
here in the future. We are proud of that.
  Madam Speaker, I thank Mr. Larsen for being a great teammate.
  Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman 
from Florida (Ms. Castor), who is also on our team and the other co-
chair.
  Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Madam Speaker, after a number of years of 
consecutive blue team victories, I am here to congratulate the red team 
and my good friends Congressman LaHood and Congressman Bacon, the co-
chairs of the Congressional Soccer Caucus.
  Truly, the real winners are the kids across America, who we are able 
to raise charity funds for, to help make sure that they can all 
experience a beautiful game, the beautiful game of soccer.
  The U.S. Soccer Foundation funds fields and equipment all across the 
country, particularly in the underserved areas.
  Madam Speaker, I invite everyone to join the soccer caucus and help 
stand up for your kids back home.
  I do have to say, on the eve of the Women's World Cup, with the 
defending World Cup champions, the U.S. Women's National Team, there is 
a little bit of girl power not only here in the House, but we intend to 
repeat the win of the Women's World Cup.
  Let's cheer them on and cheer on what they have done in standing up 
for pay equity and equal treatment as role models for girls and young 
women all across this country.

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