[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 1]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 624-625]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




    IN HONOR OF THE SOUTH COBB HIGH SCHOOL BLUE EAGLE MARCHING BAND

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. DAVID SCOTT

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 13, 2009

  Mr. SCOTT of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate and 
honor members of the South Cobb High School Blue Eagle Marching Band. 
Under the direction of Band Director Zachary Cogdill and with the 
support of Principal Dr. Grant Rivera, the faculty and students at 
South Cobb High School, these students were chosen to represent the 
great State of Georgia during the 56th Presidential Inaugural Parade 
next Tuesday. I am immensely proud of their dedication and diligent 
preparation for this occasion, as President-Elect Barack Obama is sworn 
in as the 44th President. Madam Speaker, I would like to submit for the 
record a copy of the official letter I submitted to the Armed Forces 
Inaugural Committee recommending South Cobb High School for 
participation in the parade:
  To Members of the Committee:
  I would like to recommend the South Cobb High School Blue Eagle 
Marching Band for participation in the 2009 Presidential Inaugural 
Parade.
  South Cobb's marching band continues a long tradition of exemplary 
musical groups at the school. Under the outstanding leadership of Mr. 
Zachary Cogdill, the marching band program has increased to 60 
students. This year, the Blue Eagle Marching Band has won 11 trophies 
at two competitions, including Best in Class and Grand Champion in 
Class.
  This band also features a young man who suffers from leukodystrophy--
a rare, progressive genetic disorder that affects the nervous system. 
Although he cannot march, he walks in front of the band and plays a 
single drumbeat throughout the band's entire performance. His special 
role is the basis for the band's theme--``Heartbeat.''

[[Page 625]]

  Lastly, most students have never been to Washington, DC and this 
would be an excellent for them to visit our Nation's Capital. I look 
forward to meeting members of the marching band should they be selected 
for your events. I know they certainly have earned the opportunity to 
perform, and hope you will feel the same.
  Again, I encourage you to grant the South Cobb High School Blue Eagle 
Marching Band the opportunity to perform in January. Thank you for your 
consideration.
  Sincerely,
  David Scott
  Member of Congress
  This fall, the Blue Eagle Marching Band won 11 trophies at two 
competitions, including Best in Class and Grand Champion in Class. They 
also performed at the Georgia Dome in Downtown Atlanta. With the 
support of the Atlanta community, the high school was able to raise 
$70,000 in five days for their trip. I am thankful for the generosity 
of my hometown and each individual who supported our students, 
financially and otherwise.
  On Friday night, the Blue Eagle Marching Band will depart Austell, 
Georgia for Washington, DC. For many, this will be a first visit to our 
Nation's Capital. I wish them a safe journey and congratulations on 
this outstanding achievement. I am honored to represent such talented 
constituents.

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