[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 50 (Thursday, March 21, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E278]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       RECOGNIZING MRS. AMY BUSH

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. DAVID G. VALADAO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 21, 2024

  Mr. VALADAO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate Mrs. Amy Bush for 
her dedicated service to the Hanford community and to congratulate her 
on her well-earned retirement as Head Coach of the Sierra Pacific High 
School Girls Basketball Team. Mrs. Bush, a teacher at Kings River 
Hardwick Elementary School in Hanford, became the Head Coach of the 
Sierra Pacific High School Girls Basketball program in 2015. Under her 
leadership, the Golden Bears have won an impressive 213 games and 
maintained a winning percentage of almost 80 percent. Over the past 
nine seasons, the Golden Bears have also earned two undefeated Tri-
County Conference Championships and six East Sequoia League 
Championships. In 2017, the team won their first California 
Interscholastic Federal (CIF) Section Championship and advanced to the 
CIF Semi-Finals. Just one year later, Mrs. Bush led the team to victory 
at the CIF State Southern Regional and Division V State Championships--
the first in Sierra Pacific High School's history. During her tenure, 
Mrs. Bush has received numerous awards to recognize her accomplishments 
as Head Coach. In 2018, she was named the Cal-Hi Sports Division V 
State Coach of the Year. Two years later, she earned the CIF Central 
Section National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) 
Coach of the Year and was nominated for Federation's State NFHS Coach 
of the Year. This season, Mrs. Bush has been honored as the Tri-County 
Conference Co-Coach of the Year. In addition to her achievements on the 
court, Mrs. Bush has worked hard to ensure the Golden Bears are active 
in the Central Valley community. Over the years, the team has put 
together several donation drives to support local residents, including 
drives to support the families of fallen firefighters and police 
officers. The team also volunteers every year at the Episcopal Church 
of the Savior Parish Soup Kitchen. During the COVID-19 Pandemic, the 
team donated food items to the Kings Pantry to give back to local 
families. The success of the Sierra Pacific High School Girls 
Basketball Team is a true testament to Mrs. Bush's character and 
dedication to the program. While she will be missed as Head Coach, I am 
confident that her leadership will have a lasting impact on the Golden 
Bears for years to come. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the House 
of Representatives to join me in thanking Mrs. Amy Bush for her 
dedication to the Sierra Pacific High School Girls Basketball Team and 
the Central Valley. I wish her a happy and well-deserved retirement.

                          ____________________