[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 12268]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  IN HONOR OF CARDINAL MOONEY HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL COACH MIKE DOWLING

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                           HON. VERN BUCHANAN

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 10, 2007

  Mr. BUCHANAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize an individual 
who has distinguished himself as a good coach, a dedicated teacher, and 
a family friend--coach Mike Dowling, who is retiring after 28 years as 
football coach at Cardinal Mooney High School in Sarasota.
  Coach Dowling has led the Cougars to five undefeated regular seasons, 
six district championships, and one regional championship. His overall 
record of 189 to 102 is certainly impressive. Over 150 of his players 
have gone on to play college ball and his winning teams have enhanced 
school spirit and the educational mission of the school.
  But a good coach does more than win games; he is also a positive 
influence on his players. Coach Dowling has helped hundreds of kids 
reach their full potential both on and off the field. In addition to 
teaching them how to catch, throw, tackle, and win, he helped teach 
them good sportsmanship and ethical conduct. His efforts on the field 
have helped his players build character and taught them how to show and 
earn respect, play fair, and be responsible--and our society as a whole 
is better for it.
  Although his history students will still benefit from his efforts in 
the classroom, his players and many fans will miss him on the sidelines 
next fall. I congratulate Mike on a winning career and I look forward 
to seeing him in the stands.

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