[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 13284]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                           THE MOODY TROJANS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. SOLOMON P. ORTIZ

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 28, 2000

  Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, today I pay tribute to the Moody Trojans, 
runners-up in the 2000 Texas High School Class 5-A Baseball 
Championship. While not taking the top spot in the state, this season 
for ``Moody Magic'' has been one for the record books.
  While the prize proved elusive, the Trojans marched impressively on 
their journey to the championship game. The team completed the season 
with a 38-4-1 record, were ranked number one in the state poll, and 
reached the third highest ranking in the nation.
  Moody's fans were as relentless as their team. They cheered the 
players on, chanting ``Moody Magic,'' blowing horns, yelling, clapping 
and stomping their feet. Like the Trojans of old, they didn't give up 
until the battle was done.
  Logistics proved to be a part of the game, with rain delays holding 
up the game from Friday until Monday. The burden of the delays fell 
directly on the Moody players since their opponents could drive home 
after each delay, while the Trojans wandered around their Austin hotel.
  The season brought forth twin themes for Moody, one of spirituality, 
and one of inspiration. They drew inspiration from a movie, The 
Gladiator. The certainty that Trojans were warriors and that warriors 
fought the good fight marked the last three weeks of the season. The 
foremost theme for the Trojans, however, was one of spirituality. These 
are warriors with a deep faith.
  ``Si quieres puedes'' (If you want to, you can) was written 
underneath the bill of a player's cap. This team did indeed want to 
win. They prayed silently on the field and in the dugout, and looked to 
a tiny laminated drawing of Jesus Christ in the dugout for motivation.
  The Moody Magic was part inspiration and part spirituality that drew 
this team close. They rose to number three in the nation and number one 
in the state. They prayed together, won together and lost together; but 
through it all they kept their faith. While their opponent was awarded 
gold medals for the championship, they prayed that the experience will 
make them better people.
  These young people have learned the very best lessons sports can 
teach. They learned that winning is great, but winners on the field are 
made from teamwork and faith; and winners in life are those who master 
the fundamentals, never lose their faith, and put their whole effort 
into every endeavor.
  All these young men have learned this lesson, and eight of Moody's 
seniors will leave for college soon where they will play ball and 
employ the lessons they learned in the Moody dugout and on the 
ballfields of Corpus Christi.
  I want to include the leadership of the school and the coaches in 
this victory: Interim Superintendent Sandra Lanier-Lerma, Principal 
Conrado Garcia, Athletic Director Richard Avilia, and coaches Steve 
Castillo, Gene Flores, Corky Gallegos, and Allan Lynch.
  I ask the House to join me today in commending this outstanding group 
of young champions from ``Moody Magic'' who have learned the most 
important lessons of competition, faith and dignity.

                          ____________________