[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 1]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 511]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 CONGRATULATING THE SHELTON VIKINGS MIDGET AND PEE WEE CHEERLEADERS ON 
                   THEIR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP TITLES

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 19, 2011

  Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise today 
to pay tribute to the Shelton Vikings Midget and Pee Wee Cheerleading 
squads who captured the National Championship titles in their divisions 
at the Pop Warner National Competition which was held last month in 
Buena Vista, Florida. This is a remarkable accomplishment for these 
young girls and we could not be more proud of them!
  The Viking Midget Cheerleading squad is a group of thirteen and 
fourteen year old girls who have been cheering together since age 
seven. The Pee Wee team is made up of ten to twelve year old girls. 
During this past season, each of these squads have won the titles of 
Southern Connecticut Champions, Connecticut State Champions, New 
England Qualifier Champions and New England Regional Champions. In 
their first ever trip to the National Championships, the Midget 
Cheerleading squad competed against nineteen other squads from across 
the country to take home the title and the Pee Wee squad competed 
against eight other teams to do the same. These are the first ever 
National titles for Shelton and, for the Midget squad, it is even more 
meaningful because it was the last year that they will be eligible to 
compete in the Pop Warner Cheerleading league.
  These girls are an extraordinarily talented group who have dedicated 
countless hours to practice and competition. Cheerleading, like so many 
other sports, requires perseverance, training, coordination, and above 
all teamwork--all skills that will continue to serve these young women 
well throughout their lives. Their success at the National 
Championships is a testament to all of their hard work.
  I would also like to take a moment to extend a special note of thanks 
and appreciation to the coaches, parents, and volunteers whose support 
has enabled the girls to practice and travel for their competitions. 
Without their efforts, the success of the Vikings Cheerleaders would 
not be possible.
  I am thrilled to join the Shelton community in extending my sincere 
congratulations and very best wishes to the Shelton Vikings Midget and 
Pee Wee Cheerleaders--2010 Pop Warner National Champions. You have made 
us all proud!

                          ____________________