[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 204 (Tuesday, December 17, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1600-E1601]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CONGRATULATING JAMES MADISON HIGH SCHOOL MARCHING ENSEMBLE ON ITS 2019 
                           HISTORIC SUCCESSES

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 17, 2019

  Mr. CONNOLLY. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the James Madison 
High School (JMHS) Marching Ensemble and to offer my congratulations on 
its historic 2019 competition season. The band is known as ``The Pride 
of Vienna'' and this year has proven that this title is well-deserved.
  In October 2019, JMHS won the Bands of America (BOA) Mid-Atlantic 
Regional Championship which was held in College Park, MD. JMHS is the 
only Virginia high school to win a BOA Regional competition in the past 
40 years.
  The band then went on to win the Virginia Marching Band Cooperative 
State Championship held in Lynchburg, VA. This is the second year in a 
row that JMHS was named Virginia state champion. Following its 
thrilling success at the BOA Regional competition, the band traveled to 
Indianapolis, IN where it competed in the BOA Grand National 
Championship--an accomplishment that is unmet by any other Fairfax 
County Public High School band. This competition was held over the 
course of three days in November. After a strong preliminary 
performance, JMHS advanced to the semi-finals and was named 2nd Place 
in Class 3A. This marks the band's most successful trip ever to the 
Grand Nationals.
  The JMHS Marching Ensemble is led by Mr. Michael Hackbarth, Director 
of Bands, a position he has held since 2001. In this role, he is the 
director for the Wind Symphony, the Symphonic Band, the Jazz Ensemble, 
and the Marching Ensemble. Under his leadership, the music programs 
have won numerous regional, state and national honors. Mr. Hackbarth 
and his dedicated team created this year's show entitled ``Dusk 'till 
Dawn'' and utilized music, color guard costumes, stage make-up, props 
and scenic backdrops. Preparation for this year's performances began on 
August 5, the first day of summer band camp, and he and the 150 members 
of the ensemble spent countless hours perfecting the show and preparing 
for a rigorous competition season, while also performing at football 
games, in the Homecoming Parade and in the Vienna Halloween Parade.
  Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating the 
James Madison High School Marching Ensemble and Mr. Michael Hackbarth 
on the inspiring success of the 2019 season. Together they made history 
and will carry with them a lifetime of memories. I also want to commend 
the parents and volunteers whose efforts made each show possible. 
Collectively, you are the ``Pride of Virginia'' and I wish you the very 
best of luck and continued success in your future endeavors.

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