[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 1]
[House]
[Pages 1314-1315]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                 IN MEMORY OF LINDA ASCHENBACH-HACKMANN

  (Mr. GILCHREST asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. GILCHREST. Mr. Speaker, this morning I rise publicly to honor the 
memory of a true hero, a woman who gave her time, patience, experience, 
knowledge, and love to the young adults at Northeast High School in my 
district. In 1996, Linda Aschenbach-Hackmann, a former student and 
outstanding athlete, stepped in to fill a coaching vacancy for the 
girls' softball team. Her impact was immediate, leading the team to the 
State finals during the next 2 years.
  In late 1998, sadly, Linda was stricken with lymphoma cancer, 
confining

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her to the hospital with continuous painful treatments. Still, she 
managed to coach the team from her hospital bed and rally them from the 
sidelines. When Linda passed away in April 1999, her funeral was 
attended by hundreds of families and friends, including her beloved 
girls from the softball team that decorated her casket with the winning 
ball autographed by the players, for that year the girls won the State 
championship.
  Mr. Speaker, there can be no greater sacrifice for children today 
than giving our love and our patience and our time. She is a true hero. 
I want to thank Capitol Hill Police Officer Dave Pendleton and Linda's 
brother Gary for bringing this to our attention.
  Mr. Speaker, I include for the Record the letter Linda's brother sent 
to us.

                 In Memory of Linda Aschenbach-Hackmann

                          (By Gary Aschenbach)

       As a result of a sudden, unscheduled change in staff at 
     Northeast High School, the girls Junior Varsity softball team 
     was left without a coach. Anxious to fill that position, a 
     search was initiated to immediately locate an interested and 
     qualified person. On the overwhelming recommendation of 
     colleagues, Mrs. Linda Aschenbach-Hackmann, a former student 
     of Northeast High and star athlete, was sought to fill the 
     position. Linda accepted the position and began her coaching 
     career at Northeast in 1996, where in the first and second 
     year she successfully led the team to compete in the state 
     finals. In 1999, they triumphed to not only compete in the 
     finals, but progressed to win the JV County Championship with 
     an 18-0 record. The team's achievement had not accomplished 
     in over a decade at Northeast High School.
       Without warning, in late 1998 Linda was suddenly stricken 
     with Lymphoma cancer that eventually confined her to hospital 
     care undergoing continuous, painful treatment. Still, she 
     kept a watchful eye on the excellent progress of her talented 
     softball team. She received daily updates and visits from 
     fellow coaches and players as she continued to coach and 
     rally her girls from the sidelines. Through her relentless 
     love of players and the game, she won the respect and 
     confidence of everyone. On April 17, 1999, exactly 30 years 
     to the day after the death of her father, Linda succumbed to 
     the attack of the cancer after a gallant fight. Her funeral 
     was attended by hundreds of family and friends, including her 
     beloved girls from the softball team who decorated her casket 
     with the winning ball autographed by the players.
       Linda will always be remembered for her sportsmanship and 
     ability to teach the fundamental rules and skills of the 
     successful ball player. Her enthusiastic personality was 
     complimented by the natural patience she shared with the 
     youth. After her death and in her memory for so many 
     accomplishments, Northeast High School paid special tribute 
     to Linda at the highest possible standard. They immediately 
     offered in her honor an annual scholarship to be given to a 
     qualified athletic student. The criteria for this award 
     required that the recipient continually demonstrate the same 
     community and leadership qualities toward others as they seek 
     to further their own education and career.

                          ____________________