[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 16041]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING ARTHUR WHEELOCK

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOE COURTNEY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 9, 2015

  Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to congratulate Mr. Arthur 
Wheelock of Vernon, Connecticut on his outstanding four decades of 
teaching and coaching at Rockville High School.
  A lifelong Ram, Art graduated from Rockville High School in 1968. 
After attending college at West Virginia Wesleyan, he returned to 
Rockville to teach physical education, a position he would hold for the 
next 42 years. Shortly after launching his teaching career, Art began 
coaching baseball, followed by football and basketball. His skills as a 
coach quickly gained notice in Vernon, and soon spread both across 
Connecticut and the nation. Scholastic sports in Vernon have a rich 
tradition, with numerous state titles and a passionate fan base. At the 
state level, Art was recognized as the Connecticut High School Baseball 
Coaches Association's ``Coach of the Year'' in 2006, and nationally, 
received the ``Take Pride in America'' award for his work in starting 
Pee Wee Sports with the Vernon Junior Women's Club. And in 2003, Art 
won the American Baseball Coaches Association's Regional Coach-of-the-
Year Award.
  Art has devoted his life to working with the community, leaving a 
significant and positive impact on thousands of Connecticut students. 
He has coached 758 baseball games, winning 433, including 11 conference 
championships. In his over 41 years at Rockville High School, Art has 
coached more games than any other individual in the school's history. 
Under his leadership, his students also reached three state 
championship games, and captured the 2000 Class ``L'' title. A tireless 
teacher, coach, and mentor to Connecticut students, Art has 
demonstrated a passion for helping youth through sports that is 
unmatched. Without exaggeration, Art touched the lives of thousands of 
youngsters, transforming their lives as a positive role model. The 
Vernon community is very fortunate to have benefited from his 
experience and dedication for so many years.
  Please join me in congratulating Art on a lifetime of service to his 
community, and wishing him a rewarding, and well-deserved, retirement.

                          ____________________