E500 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks April 12, 2017 HONORING THE 2016–2017 GONZAGA positive impact on Eastern Washington, and Sims, Raegan Koon, and Kandace Davis took BULLDOGS MEN’S we look forward to their continued success. home the top prize after beating five other TEAM AND THEIR REMARKABLE f squads in the competition. ACCOMPLISHMENTS Originally sponsored by the state in a part- IN RECOGNITION OF THE SIXTH nership with various historic sites, the Quiz GRADERS OF BLUE RIDGE MID- Bowl pits local eighth graders against each HON. CATHY McMORRIS RODGERS DLE SCHOOL OF WASHINGTON other to test their knowledge of North Carolina IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES and national history. After the 2008 recession, Wednesday, April 12, 2017 HON. BARBARA COMSTOCK the state cut funding for the event but a few OF VIRGINIA dedicated teachers kept the competition alive. Mrs. MCMORRIS RODGERS. Mr. Speaker, IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Now the competition operates as a commu- I rise today to recognize the achievements of Wednesday, April 12, 2017 nity-based event showcasing exceptional stu- the 2016–2017 Gonzaga University Bulldogs dents from both public and private schools. Men’s Basketball Team. After a spectacular Mrs. COMSTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I rise to This year’s event brought a host of talent 37–2 season culminating in an appearance in recognize and congratulate the sixth grade and I am extremely proud of all of the stu- the NCAA Championship game, we celebrate students of Blue Ridge Middle School located dents who participated. As a history major my- and reflect upon their success. in Loudoun County, Virginia and the adults self, I have a deep appreciation for both our This season once again demonstrated that who worked with them, in creating an extraor- state and nation’s history and I am glad these Gonzaga men’s basketball is one of the na- dinarily successful One to the World Project, students share the same passion. I am also tion’s elite programs. The Zags ended the reg- recently. thankful for the teachers and volunteers who ular season 29–1, a run which included their Through the Loudoun County Public made the event possible. I look forward to 3rd Advocare Invitational Championship, a Schools’ One to the World Project, students many more years of a successful competition number one ranking, and their fifth West have an opportunity to work on a challenging and wish all the students well as they continue Coast Conference regular season champion- societal problem using critical thinking, com- their academic pursuits. ship in a row and 17th since 1999. They also munication, collaboration and creativity to continued their run of 19 straight NCAA. tour- make a difference in addressing or alleviating Mr. Speaker, please join me today in con- nament appearances by winning the West the problem. gratulating the Kannapolis Middle School His- Coast Conference Tournament Championship, Students and faculty at Blue Ridge Middle tory Quiz Bowl Team on their accomplishment. their 15th since 1999 and fifth in a row. This School, as well as the staff at Mobile Hope of year’s NCAA Tournament was a watershed Loudoun and their Executive Director, Donna f moment in the program’s history. After hard- Fortier, devoted countless hours to this project RECOGNIZING THE 10TH ANNIVER- fought wins over South Dakota State, North- and truly went above and beyond what could SARY OF CAMP HOPE/CHRIS western, and West Virginia, the Zags defeated have been expected and I am proud of their NEAL FARM Xavier to reach their first Final Four in pro- collective efforts and generosity. gram history. And they capped it off, beating The students decided to address the prob- South Carolina in the Final Four to advance to lem of homelessness and made arrangements HON. JASON SMITH their first NCAA Championship Game. to partner with Mobile Hope of Loudoun to de- OF MISSOURI Additionally, the individual accomplishments liver items of support to them. As soon as the IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES of this year’s team are significant. Guard Nigel partnership arrangement was made, the sixth Williams-Goss was a standout on the court graders of Blue Ridge Middle School enthu- Wednesday, April 12, 2017 and in the classroom, becoming a consensus siastically began to work on a variety of vid- Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I rise All-American for his performance on the court eos, posters, brochures, and presentations in today to honor Camp Hope/Chris Neal Farm and an Academic All-American. Przemek order to raise awareness for their project and on the occasion of its 10th Anniversary. Cre- Karnowski shattered the record for all-time to solicit donations. Impressively, the students ated by Gold Star parents, William, ‘‘Mike’’ wins in Men’s Division I College Basketball by received over 1,400 donations, ranging from and Galia White, the camp located on the winning 137 games over the course of his ca- clothing to household cleaning products, and farm in St. Francois County, Missouri, honors reer. Head Coach , who has been a diapers to canned foods. their 23-year-old son, Marine Private First leader in our community in both basketball The project concluded with a visit and Class Christopher Neal White. Chris was killed and service, capped his most successful sea- speech from Donna Fortier, whose direction in action in Al Anbar, Iraq on June 20, 2006. son by becoming National Coach of the Year. and leadership truly guided the students. Not Not long after, the Whites began to develop These individual accolades serve to highlight only were they able to see firsthand how local their vision for helping wounded soldiers enjoy the overall success by this team. organizations like Mobile Hope of Loudoun the great outdoors as their son had done. I also want to recognize and congratulate all can help those in need, but they also learned Camp Hope provides outdoor adventures for of the individuals who were so important in the value of being charitable. combat wounded veterans of the War on Ter- this year’s success, including coaches Mark Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join ror and active-duty combat-wounded soldiers, Few, , Donny Daniels, and Brian me in honoring Blue Ridge Middle School’s Marines, airmen and sailors. Their Camp Michaelson and all of their staff; Director of sixth graders, the school’s faculty, and Ms. Hope experience is entirely free of charge. Basketball Operations John Jakus; Athletic Di- Fortier for their extraordinary work on this rector Mike Roth; The Gonzaga University Ad- project. Dedicating their time and efforts to Camp Hope’s mission is to offer these com- ministration, board of trustees, and President helping those less fortunate attests to their un- bat veterans the chance to shoot skeet, hunt Thayne McCulloh; and athletes Przemek selfish character and determination to better turkey and deer, fish, hike, explore the coun- Karnowski, Nigel Williams-Goss, Jordan Mat- their community. try, or relax around the ever-burning fire pit. The goal is to help them experience healing hews, Johnathan Williams III, Josh Perkins, f Silas Melson, , Killian Tillie, Rui through nature. Hachimura, Bryan Alberts, Jeremy Jones, IN RECOGNITION OF THE Since 2007, dozens of wounded soldiers Dustin Triano, Ryan Edwards, Rem Bakamus, KANNAPOLIS MIDDLE SCHOOL from across the nation and all branches of Jack Beach, Jacob Larsen, and Zack Norvell. HISTORY QUIZ BOWL TEAM service have laughed and cried together and All of them exemplify the team philosophy of found their own sense of peace at this 170- hard work, personal sacrifice, and shared val- HON. RICHARD HUDSON acre farm near Farmington. Volunteers—many ues. Their success is an inspiration. OF NORTH CAROLINA of them veterans themselves—have helped to make the dream come true donating their time So today, I rise to recognize the Gonzaga IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Bulldogs Men’s Basketball Team and the com- and money to these heroes on the homefront. munity that supports them—the current and Wednesday, April 12, 2017 In celebration of the 10th Anniversary of former players, coaches, staff, students, ad- Mr. HUDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to Camp Hope/Chris Neal Farm, it is my great ministration, and fans. The Gonzaga Bulldogs recognize the Kannapolis Middle School North pleasure to honor the Whites, the volunteers have long been a model for excellence in col- Carolina History Quiz Bowl Team for their vic- who join them and the combat veterans they lege basketball, and have continuously ex- tory in the 2017 History Quiz Bowl. This year, serve today before the United States House of ceeded expectations. We are grateful for their the team of Katie Messick, Robert Le, Tanner Representatives.

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