[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 15]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 21054]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




          TRIBUTE TO THE SOUTHERN REGIONAL ROLLER HOCKEY TEAM

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BILL PASCRELL, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, September 3, 2003

  Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I would like to call your attention to the 
members of the Southern Regional High School Roller Hockey Team. On 
Monday, August 4, 2003, New Jersey's Southern Regional High School Rams 
defeated Georgia's Milton Eagles in the final game of the USA Hockey 
Inline High School National Roller Hockey Championships held in 
Alpharetta, Georgia.
  Led by Coach Robert Schoka, the Rams were seeded number two in the 
playoffs with a tournament record of 5-2 when they entered the 
tournament finals. Their hard-earned victory against the Eagles came in 
overtime, with a final score of 6-5, allowing the Rams to become the 
first ever National Championship Team in high school roller hockey 
history.
  In addition to taking home the national championship title, several 
members of the Rams took home awards for their individual performances 
during the tournament. Goaltender Kenny Calicchio, who started and 
finished all eight games in goal, received an award for the Best 
Goaltender in the tournament for his record of 187 saves on 207 shots 
made on goal. Donald Cioffi, the third highest scorer in the tournament 
with eight goals and eight assists, was selected to the All-Tournament 
Team. Most impressive, however, is the Team Sportsmanship Award that 
the tournament referees awarded to the Rams for the team's fair play 
and sportsmanlike behavior.
  It is only fitting that the Rams' exemplary performance during this 
historic event in U.S. High School Athletics be honored in this, the 
permanent record of the greatest freely elected body on earth.
  Mr. Speaker, the job of a United States Congressman involves so much 
that is rewarding, yet nothing compares to recognizing the individual 
and team accomplishments of such talented young individuals as the 
members of the Southern Regional Rams.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join our colleagues, the Rams' families 
and friends, and me in honoring Coach Schoka and the members of the 
Southern Regional High School Roller Hockey Team.

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