17432 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS, Vol. 156, Pt. 12 September 29, 2010 Madam Speaker, each time I have visited call to service by enlisting in the U.S. Navy, act as role models for our community’s girls Taiwan I have come away with a deep appre- following in the footsteps of his father and and boys. The team is also one of three ciation for the Taiwanese people’s commit- grandfather. WNBA teams that is not owned as a com- ment to hard work, democratic traditions, envi- He was a successful and dedicated naval panion or ‘‘sister team’’ to an NBA team. Rath- ronmental protection, and productive and non-commissioned officer, quickly rising er, they are independent and reflect the value peaceful international relations. I offer my sin- through the ranks. His awards include the of local-owned organizations. cere congratulations on their 99th National Joint Service Commendation Medal; Navy and Their championship was earned with hard Day and look forward to celebrating the 100th Marine Corps Commendation Medal; Navy work and commitment. Team members in- next year. and Marine Corps Achievement Medal; Navy clude Svetlana Abrosimova, , Abby f Battle ‘‘E’’ Ribbon (two awards); Navy Good Bishop, , , Allison Conduct Medal (three awards); and the Sea Lacey, , , Jana HONORING THE STUDENTS AND Service Deployment Ribbon. Vesela, Le’coe Willingham, and Tanisha Right. FACULTY OF MCCLURE JUNIOR In 2009, McLendon was promoted to Senior The enthusiastic and loyal Washington fans HIGH SCHOOL FOR RECEIVING Chief Petty Officer and served as a Navy have also aided to the team’s success and THE BLUE RIBBON AWARD FROM cryptologic technician. He was also a Navy over 5,000 fans came to celebrate the cham- THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDU- SEAL. During his twelve-year Naval career, he pionship at the Key Arena. CATION served at Norfolk, Virginia and Pearl Harbor, Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues Hawaii, and the Joint Expeditionary Base at in the House of Representatives please join HON. DANIEL LIPINSKI Little Creek, Virginia. me in congratulating the for their undefeated playoff run and their 2nd OF ILLINOIS While deployed to Afghanistan, he was one WNBA Championship. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES of nine servicemembers tragically killed when their Army Blackhawk helicopter went down in f Wednesday, September 29, 2010 the southern Afghanistan province of Zabul on RECOGNIZING SCOTT HECHT FOR Sept. 21, 2010. Mr. LIPINSKI. Madam Speaker, I rise today HIS BRAVERY AND HEROISM to honor the faculty, students, and parents of SCPO McLendon’s death is a great loss to McClure Junior High School, a school of 541 this country, as he was a man of great prom- students in Western Springs, Illinois. The ise and honor. He was described as a con- HON. STEVE ISRAEL OF NEW YORK school was awarded the prestigious Blue Rib- summate Navy professional by his fellow IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES bon Award by the U.S. Department of Edu- servicemembers, and was known for his dedi- cation on September 9, 2010. cation, quick wit, and engaging sense of Wednesday, September 29, 2010 The Blue Ribbon Award program was humor. Mr. ISRAEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today founded in 1982 by the Department of Edu- His death is also a great loss to his loving to acknowledge Scott Hecht, a resident of cation to reward the most outstanding schools family. He is survived by his wife and parents, Hauppauge, New York, for being awarded the in the country. Out of the more than 132,000 his brother and sister, his nieces and neph- Carnegie Medal by the Carnegie Hero Fund eligible schools in the United States, only 304 ews, and his paternal grandmother. Commission. This prestigious award is given earned the Blue Ribbon distinction in 2010. Madam Speaker, U.S. Navy Senior Chief to civilians who risk their lives to save the lives McClure Junior High School has been iden- Petty Officer David Blake McLendon made the of others. Scott Hecht saved a girl from tified as a ‘‘High Performing’’ school, meaning ultimate sacrifice for his country. His time on drowning on July 30, 2009, in Mastic Beach, the students scored significantly higher on this earth was too short. He was a proud New York. standardized state assessments than their American, a brave sailor, and a true family According to the Commission, ‘‘A teenage peer schools. McClure was one of only 84 man. In life he was loved and honored, and in girl struggled to stay afloat in the Atlantic middle schools in the country, and one of 19 death he will be remembered by a grateful na- Ocean after being swept away from the beach Illinois schools to be distinguished with this tion. by a strong current. Beachgoers shouted for award. f help, attracting the attention of Hecht, 45, a social worker, who was in a camping area Thanks to the dedication of McClure Junior RECOGNIZING THE SEATTLE nearby. Although he decided earlier not to High School faculty, the hard work of the stu- STORM FOR THEIR VICTORY IN swim that day because of rough surf condi- dents, and the encouragement of their par- THE WOMEN’S NATIONAL BAS- tions, Hecht entered the water with a short ents, the school has been identified as one of KETBALL ASSOCIATION CHAM- surfboard and, holding onto the board, swam the very best in the United States. PIONSHIP I ask you to join me in congratulating the out to the girl, reaching her at a point about faculty, students, and parents of McClure Jun- HON. ADAM SMITH 200 feet from shore. He grasped her by the ior High School for their receipt of a U.S. De- wrists and held them over the board and then OF WASHINGTON partment of Education Blue Ribbon Award, started toward shore. Waves overtook them as IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES one of the highest honors a middle school can they proceeded, and a lateral current swept earn. Wednesday, September 29, 2010 them along the shoreline. Others aided the girl when they reached wadable water, and Hecht f Mr. SMITH of Washington. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Seattle Storm for also reached the beach safely. Hecht was IN MEMORY OF U.S. NAVY SENIOR their incredible season and their victory in the very tired and sustained scratches to his legs, CHIEF PETTY OFFICER DAVID Women’s National Association but he did not need medical treatment.’’ BLAKE MCLENDON Championship. I am proud to recognize Mr. Hecht for his The Seattle Storm joined the WNBA in 2000 bravery and selflessness and I thank him for HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR. and has since been a remarkable team, a helping make the 2nd District of New York a place in which citizens take care of their fellow OF GEORGIA source of immense pride for the State of citizens. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Washington. Their 2010 championship was their second, and the first under Coach Brian f Wednesday, September 29, 2010 Agler. They were consistently the WNBA’s CONGRATULATING ST. PAUL Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I best team, ending the regular season with a COLLEGE’S 100TH ANNIVERSARY rise today to pay tribute to a brave sailor, 28–6 record. The team’s success continued dedicated citizen, and a great American, U.S. into the post-season, where they went HON. BETTY McCOLLUM Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer David Blake undefeated and became the first team in OF MINNESOTA McLendon, who gave his life for his country. WNBA history to go 7–0 in the playoffs. By the IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Senior Chief Petty Officer (SCPO) end of their impressive run, the Storm had not McLendon was raised in Thomasville, Geor- been defeated at home. Wednesday, September 29, 2010 gia. After graduating from Thomas County The women of Seattle Storm play the game Ms. MCCOLLUM. Madam Speaker, I rise Central High School in 1998, he answered the with great dedication and sportsmanship, and today to congratulate the faculty, students and

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