[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 87 (Tuesday, May 23, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E481]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING ANTHONY BOETTCHER

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BRITTANY PETTERSEN

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 23, 2023

  Ms. PETTERSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the late Anthony 
Boettcher. Mr. Boettcher was a lifelong Coloradan and impacted the 
lives of hundreds of children and their families through his service as 
a swim coach. He started the Wheat Ridge swimming team, coaching the 
Wheat Ridge Piranhas for 8 years, and then went on to coach the boys 
and girls high school swim teams at Evergreen High School. His teams 
won multiple meets, state titles, and competitions--setting new state 
records along the way. When he left the position in 2005, he held the 
record as the boy's swim coach with the most wins in Jefferson County 
history. Mr. Boettcher later coached Falfins Swimming for 5 years, 
before moving on to serve as a swim coach at the Air Force Academy for 
13 years. Under his leadership, they won three Western Athletic 
Conference championships.
  His colleague, Air Force Head Men's Swimming Coach Rob Clayton, said 
Anthony ``always reminded me why we do what we do, how we take our love 
for a sport and use it to love and serve people. Anthony loved well, 
and he was loved by so many.'' As Mr. Boettcher's sister Teresa 
recounts, his colleagues would always say that he ``could teach 
swimming to anyone.''
  During his final days in the hospital, hundreds of former students 
and their families visited Mr. Boettcher--a true testament to the deep 
impact he had on those he taught. Today, we honor and recognize the 
countless hours he dedicated to students in Jefferson County and in 
Colorado, his selfless spirit, and his steadfast dedication to the 
children he served.