[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 67 (Monday, April 25, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E400]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING THE CAREER OF GEORGE CROUSE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOE COURTNEY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 25, 2022

  Mr. COURTNEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate and praise 
the career of George Crouse, of Stonington, Connecticut. The head coach 
of the Stonington High School girl's tennis team, George has recently 
been named a recipient for this year's Gold Key Award, a prestigious 
honor that celebrates icons in Connecticut athletics. As a coach at 
Stonington for nearly 50 years, Crouse, with the support of his 
athletes, has steered his teams to victory time and time again, proving 
his determination, work ethic, and irreplaceable coaching methods. It 
is no exaggeration when I say that George is a monumental pillar in not 
just the success of Stonington High School's tennis team, but the 
entire Stonington community.
  A former student of the class of 1960 himself, George Crouse has 
represented Stonington High School and southeastern Connecticut 
impressively well. A truly dedicated steward to Stonington, it was not 
long after his graduation that he returned to Stonington High to begin 
his career in coaching in the fall of 1973, first as the boy's tennis 
coach before transitioning to the coach for the girl's team in 1987. 
George was also a long-time teacher at Stonington High--having racked 
up 37 years in the social studies department. In addition to his 
teaching and coaching careers, George has always sought to increase his 
role in supporting the Stonington community, even serving a stint as 
the town's first selectman. Through his numerous and renowned careers 
in the area, George has been an enduring force of moral fortitude for 
Stonington, impressing upon the town's youngest generation the value of 
community spirit.
  George's experiences as a high school teacher and as First Selectman 
have helped reinforce the qualities that have made him a prodigious 
coach. George is kind but firm, wise but humble. He takes his students 
seriously and coaches them in ways that will help each succeed. His 
tenure and track record of well more than 800 career victories for 
boys' and girls' tennis are evidence enough of his natural leadership 
and passion for inspiring the best in others. However, his 2019 
reception of the National High School Coach of the Year makes the 
record clear. This year's Gold Key Award is yet another well-deserved 
notch in his belt.
  Clearly, George's legacy as a coach for the Stonington Bears is one 
to-be emulated. His team is currently 5-0 overall and has three state 
championships and eight class tournament championships under its belt. 
For his distinguished career, the tennis courts at Stonington High have 
already been dedicated in his name. Even so, he remains as humble as 
ever; thanking his players for getting him to where he is, including 
his own four children--Maggie, Liz, Ann, and George.
  Madam Speaker, I am honored to represent a district that is comprised 
of such hard-working and community-oriented individuals like George. As 
the Congressman for Stonington, I have had a chance to see up close his 
passion for the town and I can attest he is true public servant. A wise 
teacher, a confident leader, and a passionate coach, George has 
exemplified to his own town, our state and our Nation the boundless 
limits of what can be accomplished when a community sticks together. I 
am confident that there are very few that are more deserving of the 
Gold Key Award as much as George, and that he will continue to raise 
the bar for Stonington High School. George is joined by his wife Ann 
and their four children in celebrating this major milestone for the 
family and the school. As he continues to make history as coach at 
Stonington High School, I, along with countless others, excitedly await 
the new milestones that he is bound to achieve. To that end, I ask my 
colleagues in the House to join me in honoring George Crouse for his 
unsurpassable coaching career, further extending the legacy of his 
actions.

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