[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 121 (Tuesday, July 15, 2025)]
[House]
[Page H3254]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
CONGRATULATING CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL WOMEN'S SOFTBALL TEAM
(Mr. Cline of Virginia was recognized to address the House for 5
minutes.)
Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to honor the Central Falcons
softball team for their first-ever State championship title.
The heart of this historic victory was the junior left fielder Hadley
Witherow, who made the catch of her life to seal the 4-1 win over King
William for the class 2 State title.
The Falcons were led by Coach Timmy Wakeman and Assistant Coach Jamey
Mantz, who instilled belief in players like Kristen Hockman, whose bat
sparked the offense; Veronica Gordon, who delivered key hits; and
Keriana Stottlemyer, who set the tone with her patience at the plate.
Serenity Burnshire and Carsyn Burton added crucial doubles, and
Vanessa Gordon's sacrifice fly RBI in the bottom of the fifth created
another scoring play.
While in the circle, Lexi Burkholder and Liz Bilbow combined for a
stellar performance, supported by the steady glove of Emily Finks
behind the plate. Together, they held off King William's powerful bats.
Mr. Speaker, please join me in celebrating this remarkable group, the
Central Falcons softball team, and their unforgettable championship
run.
recognizing president's cup winner christendom college
Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to honor Christendom College,
which has, once again, shown that excellence on the field can go hand
in hand with achievement in the classroom.
The United States Collegiate Athletic Association named Christendom
the winner of the 2025 President's Cup, recognizing the Nation's top
academic-performing athletic department. I commend Director of
Athletics Patrick Quest and Assistant Athletic Director Joe Dotson for
their outstanding leadership.
Christendom's varsity teams posted a 3.51 GPA, with the senior
student athlete class achieving a 3.61 average. A total of 45 student-
athlete sophomores, juniors, and seniors earned USCAA and NCR National
Academic All-American honors. The 20 senior academic all-Americans are
Josie Belleville, Regina Bonvissuto, Cate Brezinsky, Jude Burkett, Sean
Corcoran, Joshua Cruz, David Echaniz, John Gunthorpe, Miranda Keller,
Colleen Kosten, Bridget McCaughey, Mary Noble, Mary Sabados, Lizzie
Scarchilli, Andrew Snyder, Catherine Thomas, Michael Townsend, JP
Tsakanikas, Christopher Usher, and Nicholas Ward, many excelling in
multiple sports. Twenty-five sophomores and juniors were also
recognized for their academic excellence.
Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Christendom on this fourth President's
Cup in 6 years, which reflects a deep commitment to forming student
athletes who excel both intellectually and athletically.
recognizing salem high school boys' lacrosse team
Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to recognize the Salem High
School boys' lacrosse team, which made history this year by capturing
their first-ever VHSL State championship.
They capped an incredible 2025 season with an 11-7 victory over
Loudoun County. Along the way, they won the Region 4D championship with
a 14-3 win over Jefferson Forest and claimed the Tommy Girani Cup,
achieving all three of their goals.
Their journey was defined by resilience and determination. After
falling short in last year's quarterfinals, they returned to defeat
Broad Run 9-4 and upset three-time defending champs Atlee in a hard-
fought 7-5 semifinal.
This historic run was powered by standout performances. Jackson Jones
led with 37 goals and 47 assists. Holden Custer added 45 goals and 21
assists. Parker Dallas scored 42 goals with 36 assists. Jackson
Wininger contributed 24 goals and 26 assists.
On defense, Ronnie Frith, Brayden Hall, and Carson Garland combined
for over 120 takeaways and 180 ground balls, while goalie Richard Hof
made 125 saves. Face-off specialist Ryan Warren won nearly 70 percent
of his draws. Remarkably, seven players earned first team all-State
honors.
I commend Coach George Revercomb, his staff, and Athletic Director
Drew Barrett. This championship reflects the spirit of Salem, a city
that rallies behind its youth.
I congratulate the team, their families, and the Salem community.
protecting americans from financial surveillance
Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Anti-CBDC
Surveillance State Act. This critical legislation aims to safeguard
financial privacy and freedom of the American people.
A central bank digital currency may sound like innovation, but under
Federal control, it becomes a powerful and dangerous tool for
surveillance. This allows unelected bureaucrats to monitor and
potentially restrict how Americans spend their hard-earned wages.
Recently, we have seen alarming examples of this kind of overreach,
from the Chinese Communist Party using its digital currency to track
and control citizens to Prime Minister Trudeau in Canada freezing the
bank accounts of peaceful protesters. That kind of government power has
no place in the United States.
The Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act ensures the Federal Reserve
cannot issue a CBDC without explicit authorization from Congress. It
protects financial privacy and upholds the constitutional rights of
every American.
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