[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 13]
[Senate]
[Page 18113]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




         COMMENDING THE CANYON LAKE LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL TEAM

 Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize and 
congratulate the Rapid City Canyon Lake All-Star Little League baseball 
team. The Canyon Lake All-Stars, under coaches Doug Simons, Steve 
Nolan, and Jeff Minnick, have the honor of being the first South Dakota 
team to make it to the Little League World Series, held this year in 
Williamsport, PA.
  The Rapid City Canyon Lake All-Stars went through the Central 
Regional Tournament with wins over such teams as Kansas, with a final 
score 15-3, and Iowa, 9-8. They advanced to the Little League World 
Series where they played the Southeast, New England, and West teams.
  These young people represented Rapid City and South Dakota in an 
extraordinary fashion. While the final outcome of the Little League 
World Series was not what these young athletes had hoped for, their 
hard work and sportsmanship is representative of South Dakota. I would 
like to give credit to the coaches, parents, supporters, though 
especially the dedication of these young players. The community of 
Rapid City will recognize the hard work and sportsmanship this team has 
shown during the tournament with a welcome home celebration and parade 
Saturday. This is a well deserved victory and the team merits 
acknowledgment for their extraordinary achievement.
  I want to recognize Manager Doug Simons, Coach Steve Nolan, and Coach 
Jeff Minnick for their guidance and support to help make this year's 
team so successful. I also want to congratulate all of this year's team 
members: Logan Anderson, Cale Fierro, Tanner Hagen, Jonah Hanson, 
William Hendricks, Matthew Minnick, TJ Nolan, Mark Petereit, Jesse 
Riddle, Tanner Simons, Carter Wevik, Matthew Wilson, and Alec Winter.
  Again, congratulations to the Rapid City Canyon Lake All-Stars on 
fighting their way to the Little League World Series.

                          ____________________