[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 163 (2017), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 12288-12289]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING THE SELMA 15U ALL STAR BASEBALL TEAM

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. TERRI A. SEWELL

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 27, 2017

  Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to congratulate the 
Selma 15U All Star baseball team for winning the 2017 Dixie Baseball 
World Series. It has been 45 years since a team paraded the World 
Series trophy through the streets of my hometown, Selma, Alabama, but 
this losing streak finally came to an end on Sunday, July 23, in 
Independence, Louisiana.
  After falling short of winning last year's title, the team was ready 
for a taste of redemption. In a hard fought, 8-3 win against 
Hattiesburg, Mississippi, the Selma 15U All Stars secured their place 
in history and brought home the gold. An enthusiastic crowd of family 
and community members was waiting to welcome their hometown champions 
back to Selma.
  The team is comprised of 14 boys: Dione Allen, Alex Colquitt, Tevin 
Craig, Matthew Davis, Trovonn Davis, Joseph Estes, Xavier Green, Jeremy 
Lee Jr., Amarion Molette, Octavious Palmer, Jacob Peavy, George Turner, 
Milam Turner, and Richard Allen Waters.
  They come from a combination of Dallas County High School, Meadowview 
Christian Academy, Morgan Academy, and Selma High School. Built on a 
foundation of diversity, this team showcases what can happen when 
communities are united in a common cause.

[[Page 12289]]

Through their hard work and dedication, these boys displayed what it 
means to be a leader in their communities. Selma is often portrayed as 
a city lacking in opportunities for civic engagement, but the Selma 15U 
All Stars is a direct antithesis to this misguided characterization.
  The man behind this remarkable group of young men is Head Coach Ricky 
Waters. I had the great privilege of going to grade school with Ricky 
in our hometown of Selma. I know that this victory is of special 
importance to him since he took the field against the same opponent, 
Hattiesburg, at the Dixie Baseball World Series when he was a player, 
38 years ago. Although Ricky's time at bat ended in a loss, he was able 
to lead this team of Selma 15U All Stars to victory in 2017. Ricky, 
along with Coaches Richard Davis, Jake Peavy, and Jason Foti, created a 
winning team of boys that everyone in Alabama should be proud of.
  As every sports fan knows, behind every great team is an even greater 
community. A raucous crowd of over 100 cheering fans and the blaring 
sirens of police cars and firetrucks welcomed the team of champions 
home. It was a bright day for Selma as the city came together to 
celebrate these young athletic ambassadors and their competitive 
triumph.
  This extraordinary group of young men and their dedicated coaches are 
a shining example of the positive impact sports can have on a 
community. I am proud to represent these local heroes, and I ask my 
colleagues to join me in paying tribute to the 2017 Dixie Baseball 
World Series champions, the Selma 15U All Star Baseball Team. 
Congratulations.

                          ____________________