[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 20]
[EXTENSION]
[Page 27549]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


                      TRIBUTE TO MRS. ANN SAMPSON

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TOM LATHAM

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 17, 2007

  Mr. LATHAM. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the service of Mrs. 
Ann Sampson, as the devoted Golden Stars Drill Team coach at Eagle 
Grove High School in Eagle Grove, Iowa.
  Ann has served as the coach of the drill team she founded for the 
past 14 years. Her passion for this team has had, and will continue to 
have, a lasting impact on the many young ladies that were fortunate 
enough to be led by Ann.
  During Ann's first year as coach, the team did not have the resources 
for uniforms during performances, so she found old flag squad outfits 
at the high school and managed to transform them into the new uniforms 
for the team. Her exceptional organizational skills and the team's 
rapid success led to the first Golden Stars Drill Team Night at the end 
of the team's inaugural school year, which raised enough money for 
brand new uniforms the next school year. In her third year coaching, 
and second year competing, Ann led the Golden Stars to their first 
state title.
  Ann's impact on the young ladies wasn't limited to just the dance 
floor; important life lessons for achievement were instilled. Ann 
focused the team on forming a family bond, as a recipe for success. The 
Golden Stars motto is ``you're only as strong as your weakest link.'' 
This motto speaks of Ann's natural abilities to lead this team through 
the years.
  I consider it a great honor to represent Ann Sampson in the United 
States Congress. I know that my colleagues will join me in thanking her 
for her service to the youth of Iowa and wish her and her family all 
the best that the future brings them.

                          ____________________