[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 118 (Monday, July 22, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E743]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





           CELEBRATING THE #ONEWORLD SOCCER TOURNAMENT OF WNY

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. TIMOTHY M. KENNEDY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 22, 2024

  Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the #OneWorld 
Soccer Tournament of WNY, an incredible community initiative led by the 
Buffalo Maendeleo Soccer Club and Bridges from Borders. This inaugural 
event brought together underrepresented youth in Buffalo's Lower West 
Side for a soccer competition.
  The organizations leading this project, the Buffalo Maendeleo Soccer 
Club and Bridges from Borders, work to support our local refugee and 
immigrant populations. The Buffalo Maendeleo Soccer Club provides safe 
community spaces for underserved children to play in a soccer league 
with their peers. Bridges from Borders is a nonprofit organization 
promoting mental health and wellbeing for immigrant families moving to 
Western New York.
  Together, these organizations dedicated nine months to organizing the 
#OneWorld Soccer Tournament, with the goal of fostering unity and 
combating negative stereotypes placed onto minorities. The tournament 
took place on Saturday, July 13, 2024, with four teams competing in 
spirited and fun soccer games. Parents and players alike had a great 
time engaging in friendly competition and connecting with their 
community.
  Following the tournament's great success, Maendeleo Soccer Club and 
Bridges from Borders plan to make the #OneWorld Tournament an annual 
event. They hope to expand their programming to more neighborhoods, 
continuing to bring young people together and build unity through 
soccer.
  Please join me in congratulating the Buffalo Maendeleo Soccer Club 
and Bridges from Borders on the incredible success of the #OneWorld 
Soccer Tournament. Today, we thank these organizations for their 
dedication to serving our community and uplifting our youth.

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