[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 13]
[Senate]
[Page 17958]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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               HAWAII'S 2010 LITTLE LEAGUE U.S. CHAMPIONS

 Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I honor and congratulate the Little 
League team from Waipio, HI, our 2010 Little League U.S. Champions.
  On Saturday, August 28, Waipio defeated the team from Pearland, TX, 
to win the U.S. Championship title game. It was a resounding victory 
for Hawaii, who won in five innings via mercy-rule with a final score 
of 10-0, advancing to the final game of the World Series Championship 
against Japan.
  Our U.S. Champions performed with the highest level of athleticism as 
they played the International Champions from the Edogawa Minami Little 
League of Tokyo. Waipio rose to the occasion and played their hearts 
out. Despite their hard-fought 4-1 loss to Japan, our young men proved 
that they are genuine winners, exiting the World Series with their 
heads held high and leaving an undeniable impression of inspiration and 
sportsmanship.
  With great pride, superior confidence, motivation and spirit, our 
team showed the Nation and the world what it takes to be a champion. 
They are: Kahoea Akau, Shiloh Baniaga, Kaimana Bartolome, Matthew 
Campos, Ty DeSa, Ezra Heleski, Dane Kaneshiro, Tyler Kushima, Cody 
Maltezo, Justice Nakagawa, Keolu Ramos, Noah Shackles, Brysen Yoshii, 
Manager Brian Yoshii, and Coaches Kina Akau and Jason Heleski.
  Although I am proud of their achievement, I am most proud of the 
sportsmanlike conduct and warm aloha that these players brought to both 
the national and international stage. I commend the coaches, parents 
and families of these players, as well as their friends for the 
sacrifices made in support of these individuals. I thank them for their 
dedication to the dreams of these young players, and applaud their hard 
work. I wish the players all the best in their future endeavors and 
thank them again for being exceptional representatives of the State of 
Hawaii and our Nation.

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