[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 8]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 11295-11296]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




            TRIBUTE TO THE HOUGHTON GREMLINS BASKETBALL TEAM

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BART STUPAK

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 14, 2006

  Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor 12 extraordinary young 
women and their coaches who showed incredible determination, character 
and athleticism in winning the 2005 Girls Class-C State of Michigan 
Basketball Championship.
  As the 2005 season commenced, the Houghton Gremlins were considered 
by many observers to be in a rebuilding phase. However, this dedicated 
team of young women was determined to shed that label, disprove the 
skeptics and move beyond the regional level.
  The young women of the 2005 Houghton Gremlins were not the tallest 
team. In fact, not a single one of their players stood above 5 feet and 
8 inches. Many of the teams the Gremlins faced had players who were 
taller than 6 feet. Yet, what the Gremlins lacked in height, they made 
up for in speed, skill and, most importantly, a tireless desire to 
succeed. In many ways, they embodied the famous Theodore Roosevelt 
quote, ``What matters is not the size of the dog in the fight, but the 
size of the fight in the dog.''
  The Gremlin's regular season record of 18-2 demonstrated their 
winning attitude. Their undefeated record within the West PAC 
Conference was yet further evidence of their hard work. However, as the 
post season began, the Gremlins felt that even with a great regular 
season, they had not yet accomplished their goal.
  Winning in the post season would require living up to a favorite 
saying of their coach, Julie Filpus: ``Winners are like biscuits, when 
things heat up, they rise to the occasion.''
  The Gremlins took that advice to heart by earning a trip to the 
quarterfinals with timely three point shots, accurate free throw 
shooting and fast break layups. On November 28th, the Gremlins packed 
their bags and headed downstate to Lansing to compete for a state 
championship.
  In Lansing, the Gremlins proved once more that they simply would not 
give up. At the end of the first half of the title game, Houghton 
trailed by ten points. However, the Gremlins

[[Page 11296]]

refocused, rallied and regained their lead. Ultimately, the Lady 
Gremlins were victorious, eking out a 50-44 victory over the unbeaten 
Michigan Center.
  Athletics in our public schools are meant to teach young people 
important life lessons such as the value of teamwork and the importance 
of hard work. Clearly, the 2005 Houghton Gremlins embody these values.
  Mr. Speaker, these young women won not only a trophy, but also the 
admiration, respect and pride of the entire Houghton and Upper 
Peninsula community. I therefore commend the players, Callen Richards, 
Jodi Riutta, Whitney Rivest, Molly Turner, Amy Erva, Brooke Asiala, 
Nicole Asiala, Madeline Northey, Kristen Reed, Beth Sutherland, Josie 
Riutta and team captain Alyssa Polso. I also salute their coaches, 
Julie Filpus, Wayne Henry, Chuck LaPointe and Jen Sundstrom, for 
serving as role models and mentors to these talented young women.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask the U.S. House of Representatives to join me in 
saluting the Class C Michigan Basketball Champions, the Houghton 
Gremlins, their coaches and loyal fans.

                          ____________________