[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 18]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 27281]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



      WILLIAM DAVERN LEAVES A MARCHING BAND LEGACY TO BE CONTINUED

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                          HON. JAMES T. WALSH

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, December 15, 2000

  Mr. WALSH. Mr. Speaker, on January 27, 2001 a Gala Surprise Party 
will be held to honor the accomplishments of the West Genesee 
``Wildcat'' Marching Band Director William Davern. Bill Davern will 
retire from this extracurricular activity following 16 years of 
dedication, hard work and many successes. He will continue to work as a 
teacher at West Genesee High School in Camillus, New York.
  Bill Davern's involvement with the ``Wildcat'' Marching Band began in 
1975 when he participated as a band member from 1975-78. The West 
Genesee Marching Band has long since established itself as one of the 
premiere High School Marching Bands in the country. For the past 27 
years the band has sustained a level of excellence few marching bands 
ever achieve in a single season.
  As band director for the past 11 years, Bill Davern continued the 
``Wildcat'' tradition of greatness, elevating it to new heights. Prior 
to becoming Band Director in 1989, he worked as a band instructor since 
1984. He leaves the ``Wildcats'' with 12 straight New York State Band 
Championships, four National Field Band Championships, a National 
Parade Championship and a plethora of other victories.
  I would like to take this opportunity to commend Bill Davern and the 
West Genesee Marching Band for their many accomplishments. The 
``Wildcat'' Band has had an outstanding record for the past 27 years. 
Under the direction of Bill Davern, the band has set precedents in the 
history of the New York State Field Band Conference. His talent will be 
sorely missed by current and past band members, parents and school in 
this capacity.

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