[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 6]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 7684]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 TRIBUTE TO HARRISBURG JUNIOR BULLDOGS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOHN SHIMKUS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 17, 2009

  Mr. SHIMKUS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a 
championship team from Harrisburg, Illinois.
  On February 18, the Harrisburg Junior Bulldogs beat previously-
undefeated Carlyle 52-43 to clinch the 2009 Southern Illinois Junior 
High School Athletic Association Class L state championship. Finishing 
with a record of 26-1, the Junior Bulldogs gave Harrisburg Middle 
School its first state championship in boys basketball.
  Facing a strong, talented opponent, the Junior Bulldogs stayed cool 
under pressure, held off a late rally and then came from behind to seal 
the win. This year's team exemplifies teamwork. As Coach Kevin Dowdy 
told the local newspaper, ``Everyone had their part.''
  I want to congratulate Coach Dowdy and his assistant coach, Marcus 
Questelle, on their fine work with this group of student athletes. I 
also want to extend my congratulations to the members of the 2008-2009 
Harrisburg Junior Bulldogs state championship boys basketball team: 
Tyler Smithpeters, Capel Henshaw, Ryne Roper, Brian Berkel, Caleb 
Bailey, Justin Younger, Cody Hall, Isaac Ingram, Caleb Bartok, Gabe 
Oglesby, Phillip West, Brandon Pate and Chris Wilsey.
  This outstanding group of young men represented themselves, their 
school, families and community in a first-rate fashion. It is my 
privilege to congratulate them on a job well done.

                          ____________________