June 10, 2010 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S4845 The existence of the All-American ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS for academic affairs and career edu- Girls Professional Baseball League cation in 2005. Yet Dr. Southerland’s nearly paralleled the span of Ms. reach has been felt far beyond the aca- Kamenshek’s playing career from 1943– 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE demic corridors of northwest Florida. 1954. During her career, Ms. FOUNDING OF DANTE, SOUTH She has selflessly dedicated her time, DAKOTA Kamenshek all-around excellence on experience and energy to causes and off the field earned her the admira- ∑ Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, today throughout the State of Florida—serv- tion of many fans and the respect of I pay tribute to the 100th anniversary ing as a member of the Council of Oc- her peers. of the founding of Dante, SD. Small cupational Deans and working arm in towns like Dante embody South Da- arm with her counterparts in all 28 in- Ms. Kamenshek was undoubtedly one kota values, and are the cornerstone of stitutions in the Florida College Sys- of the finest players in the All-Amer- our State. tem. What’s more, her extensive body ican Girls Professional Baseball Dante was founded as a railroad town of academic literature has been pub- League. The league’s all-time batting when a group of farmers were con- lished in numerous scholarly journals leader with a .292 average, she had a cerned with their ability to haul grain and periodicals. smooth left-handed swing that earned between Wagner and Avon. The farmers I wish to take this opportunity to her consecutive batting titles in 1946 approached the , , commend Dr. Southerland for her serv- and 1947. The leadoff hitter for the and St. Paul Railroad to set up a depot ice and professionalism. She has been a , she used her speed between the towns. After getting a pe- role model and mentor for many fac- on the base paths to create havoc for tition signed, the railroad expanded to ulty, staff and students at Pensacola her opponents as she compiled 657 sto- the newly formed town. Planted in Junior College. She has my sincere and len bases during her career. An all- 1907, Dante was incorporated in 1912. heartfelt thanks for her devotion to around baseball player, Ms. Originally called Mayo after H.T. Mayo educating tomorrow’s leaders.∑ Kamenshek’s work with the glove once who donated the land to the town, the f prompted former railroad company objected to the first baseman to observe name. Mr. Mayo was asked for a name DO THE WRITE THING WRITING that she was ‘‘the fanciest fielding first to which he reportedly said, ‘‘Call it CHALLENGE FINALISTS Dante’s Inferno for all I care!’’ In 1911, baseman that I’ve ever seen, man or ∑ Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, the Do woman.’’ Dante had flourished enough to support the Dante Bowling Alley and Pool Hall. the Write Thing Challenge, or DtWT, is Ms. Kamenshek would lead her team, The school was opened in 1912 and a national program that provides mid- the Rockford Peaches, to four cham- stayed open until 1971. dle school students across the country pionships before her career was cur- To celebrate the town’s anniversary, with the opportunity to examine some tailed by a back injury. A driven per- Dante will be having music, a softball of the most pressing issues facing their son who was not going to rest on her tournament, games and more. With community. It encourages students to laurels, she earned a bachelor’s degree something for everyone, this weekend’s examine and confront the causes and in physical therapy from Marquette celebration is sure to be an enjoyable the effects of youth violence through University after her baseball career. In experience as Dante comes together to classroom discussions and writings. 1961, she moved to California where she celebrate this historic anniversary. I The focus is on preventative measures worked as a staff physical therapist, would like to congratulate the people with an emphasis on personal responsi- supervisor and chief of therapy services of Dante on reaching this historic mile- bility. Since the program’s founding in for the Los Angeles County disabled stone, and offer them best wishes on 1994, hundreds of thousands of students children’s services agency. After her the years to come.∑ have reaped benefits from this commu- nity-based approach to addressing retirement from Los Angeles County in f 1980, she continued to treat patients in these complex and tragic issues. TRIBUTE TO DR. ANN acute care on a part-time basis for the Middle school students from cities SOUTHERLAND next 6 years. across the Nation participated in ∑ Mr. LEMIEUX. Mr. President, today I DtWT. These students submitted cre- In 1992, the story of Ms. Kamenshek wish to bring special recognition to Dr. ative and poignant essays, poems, and the other women who played in the Ann Marie Phillips Southerland. plays, or songs about their personal ex- All-American Girls Professional Base- Dr. Southerland has elected to retire periences with youth violence. They ball League was introduced to a new from Pensacola Junior College after 42 wrote about the effect of violence in generation of Americans by the pop- years of distinguished service. She first their lives and about how they can con- ular movie ‘‘.’’ joined the faculty of the PJC home eco- tribute to efforts to eradicate it. Stu- In the movie, the character of Dottie nomics department in 1975 and was pro- dents also pledged to carry out their Hinson, played by Geena Davis, was moted as an assistant professor in 1978, ideas in their daily lives. This strategy, presented as the best player in the an associate professor in 1981, a full which empowers young people to make league and was named Dottie as a trib- professor in 1984 and department head positive changes in their lives and ute to Ms. Kamenshek, who was affec- in 1985. communities, has surely had a positive tionately known as Dottie to her Recognizing her devotion to student impact on the communities in which friends. In 1999, Sports Illustrated success and years of excellence in these students reside. named Ms. Kamenshek one of its top teaching, Dr. Southerland was ap- Each year, a DtWT Committee made 100 female athletes of the 20th century. pointed to the position of district di- up of business, community, and govern- On the field, Dorothy Kamenshek is rector of vocational education in 1988 ment leaders from each participating widely regarded as the greatest female and district dean of vocational edu- jurisdiction reviews the writing sam- baseball player ever. Off the field, her cation in 1990. In this capacity, Dr. ples and selects two national finalists. legacy will be one of a pioneer who, Southerland spearheaded efforts and I am pleased to recognize this year’s national finalists from Detroit, Karan through sheer talent and determina- initiatives to improve curriculum, in- struction and assessment. She chal- Patrick and KeJaun Williams. Their tion, achieved excellence in a sport lenged her colleagues to empower stu- creative pieces about youth violence that was once deemed to be beyond the dents and ensure they would enter the are heart-wrenching and timely. Karan physical capacity of females. Dorothy world with the skills to compete and and KeJaun wrote personal pieces Kamenshek inspired generations of succeed in the increasingly competi- about the profound impact violence has Americans to chip away at the glass tive global marketplace. had on their young lives and about the ceiling to follow their dreams and pur- The success of Dr. Southerland’s con- lasting consequences of their choices. sue endeavors and careers of their own tributions to Pensacola Junior College They conveyed a deep understanding of choosing. were measurable, and the college ap- the result of youth violence. I am im- She will be dearly missed. pointed her to assistant vice president pressed by the maturity they displayed

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