[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 13]
[Senate]
[Page 18598]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




       CONGRATULATING THE LEWISTON HIGH SCHOOL BOYS' SOCCER TEAM

 Mr. KING. Mr. President, at the end of the fall season, we see 
the culmination of youth athletics across the country. In each sport, 
whether it is field hockey, football, soccer, or the like, we as 
parents and spectators see the aggregation of hard work, sportsmanship, 
and perseverance come together to produce outstanding championship 
athletes. Today I wish to draw attention to all of the talented Maine 
youths who won athletic championships across the State this year. In 
particular, I would like to congratulate the members of the Lewiston 
High School Blue Devils boys' soccer team, who on the path to their 
undefeated regular season and recent state championship victory have 
demonstrated remarkable levels of teamwork and sportsmanship.
  The Blue Devils' achieved victory through an impressive display of 
talent and teamwork. Throughout their regular season the team scored a 
total of 114 goals, consistently demonstrated their strong defense, and 
earned recognition when USA Today ranked them 22nd in the country. The 
team's display of unity, patience, and determination in the state final 
against Scarborough High School was a fitting conclusion to a stunning 
season of hard work.
  During two prior seasons, the Blue Devils earned their way to the 
State finals but each time returned home without the win. Following 
their defeat last November, Lewiston High School coach Mike McGraw 
vowed to his team that they would return and they would win. This year, 
that promise was fulfilled.
  But the story of the Blue Devils' win is not solely one of raw 
athletic talent and training. This is a team with a long history and 
deep friendships that have spanned many years and continents. A number 
of the players originally hail from Somalia and have known each other 
and played soccer together since they were children in a refugee camp 
in Kenya. Others--native Mainers and immigrants alike--have bonded and 
shared their passion for the sport since grade school. This fraternal 
bond between the players and the supportiveness of the Lewiston 
community is a fine example of Maine citizens from diverse ethnic, 
religious, and experiential backgrounds coming together to achieve 
victory while championing Maine's spirit and America's highest ideals 
of inclusiveness and unity.
  I wish to join the city of Lewiston and the entire Maine community in 
congratulating the Lewiston High School boys' soccer team for their 
well-earned success. They demonstrated impressive athletic ability, 
incredible determination, loyalty to their coach and one another, and 
have highlighted the richness that multiculturalism brings to our 
communities. The Blue Devils have earned their title as champions in 
more ways than one.

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