[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 7563]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




          CONGRATULATING THE ROCKWALL HIGH SCHOOL LADY JACKETS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RALPH M. HALL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, March 23, 2007

  Mr. HALL of Texas. Madam Speaker, today I rise to congratulate the 
players and coaches of the 2007 Rockwall High School Lady Jackets. On 
March 3, the Lady Jackets became the third girls team in State history 
to complete a 40-0 season when they won the Texas 5A championship. 
Joining this exclusive club with the 1980 South Oak Cliff team and 
Duncanville's 1997 squad was even more exciting since it marked the 
first-ever State basketball title for Rockwall's girls. By defeating 
Houston Cypress Fairbanks 59-54 in the State championship and thereby 
finishing a 40 and 0 season, the Lady jackets made an unprecedented 
achievement that certainly merits recognition.
  With both Houston Cypress Fairbanks and Rockwall holding pristine 39-
0 records prior to the championship game, the State championship 
promised to be an exciting match. However, by games end the Lady 
Jackets scored their 40th victory in overtime. Having won the silver 
medal last year against Plano West, the team was well motivated to come 
back this year and win gold, and with their championship victory they 
did just that.
  Madam Speaker, I want to congratulate the Rockwall Lady Jackets for 
their tremendous success, not only in tournament play but also 
throughout the entire season. Through their hard work and dedication 
they have made Rockwall very proud. I ask each of my colleagues to join 
me in honoring Rockwall High School. Finally, I want to commend 
Superintendent Dr. Gene Burton, Principal Dr. Mark LeMaster, Athletic 
Director Mark Elam, Athletic Coordinator Scott Smith, Head Coach Jill 
McDill, Varsity Assistant Casey Reeves, JV Coach Brad Blalock, and 
Freshman Coach Cody Christenberry for helping to lead the Lady Jackets 
on to victory. I'd like to congratulate each of the talented players on 
the 2007 Championship Lady jacket team: Shelby Adamson, Emily McCallum, 
Arielle Andres, Haley Day, Peyton Adamson, Samantha Shaw, Meredith 
Gordon, Sunny Satery, Brittany Coleman, Kayla Kimmons, Ariel Coleman, 
Genevieve Campbell, Lindsay Wack, and Kiara Slayton. I'd also like to 
honor Ashlie Strange, Rebekah Jones, Lauren Hurt, Nichole Schueneman, 
and Taylor Whitehead who all served as managers for the team.
  I especially salute head coach Jill McDill on her devotion to duty, 
her super guidance of our girls, never looking ahead but taking the 
games one at a time. Coach McDill is a thorough coach where every 
detail is practiced over and over by her girls. Just as this stellar 
group of players took its schedule one game at a time, so too have they 
been taught to live life. Coach McDill has instilled in them the desire 
to live every day doing their best, to be unafraid of the future, and 
be loyal to your goals, your school, your family, and your God.
  The combination of a talented group of girls, a head coach who has 
previously won State titles at other schools, a Superintendent and 
faculty who fully supports, and parents and loyal Yellow Jacket 
supporters yielded a Rockwall girls Basketball State 5A Championship 
and a number 3 national ranking.
  Girls, coaches, parents, faculty, and student body--you made 
Rockwall, Texas, smallest county of 254 counties, very proud.
  God bless all of you and thank you again! As we close and leave this 
floor of Congress on this 23rd day of March, let us do so in respect 
and recognition that the Rockwall Girls Basketball team is the champion 
of the largest State in the union--the State of Texas.

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