January 9, 2018 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H25 RECOGNIZING THE UNIVERSITY OF Many members of the team justifi- Fire Chief Rod Maetzold described CENTRAL FLORIDA FOOTBALL ably played with a chip on their shoul- Jeff as the kind of guy you could count TEAM der, having been overlooked by more on when it mattered most. Jeff was an The SPEAKER pro tempore. The established college football programs avid muskie fisherman who enjoyed Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from coming out of high school. They had to hunting and photography. Jeff loved to Florida (Mrs. MURPHY) for 5 minutes. earn respect through their actions. Ul- work with wood. He built signs, tables, Mrs. MURPHY of Florida. Mr. Speak- timately, what made the Knights so and even a bed set for his daughter. er, I rise to honor the football team at special and so successful was not what We pray for peace and comfort for his the University of Central Florida lo- they accomplished as individuals, but, colleagues, friends, and family. He will cated in my congressional district. rather, what they achieved together as be missed by so many. The Knights finished the season a team. RECOGNIZING JAKE HENRIKSEN ranked sixth in the Nation by the Asso- It was clear from watching the Mr. EMMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise ciated Press. They had a perfect 13–0 coaches and players that they loved today to recognize an outstanding serv- record—the only team in college foot- and respected each other. The bond icemember from my district, Jake ball to go undefeated. UCF won the they shared made them teammates in Henriksen. As a Centennial graduate American Athletic Conference cham- the truest sense of the word. The and resident of Lino Lakes, Minnesota, pionship with an exhilarating—and ex- team’s motto, which is the name of the Jake always knew he wanted to serve cruciating—double-overtime victory UCF fight song, is ‘‘Charge on.’’ It is a in the military. As a third-generation against a talented team from the Uni- message whose power extends beyond member of the U.S. Army, his service versity of Memphis. the football field and applies to life as a specialist representing the 173rd The Knights shook up the world of itself. When you confront challenges, Airborne Infantry Brigade Combat college football in the on charge on. When others doubt your Team continues a family legacy of New Year’s Day when they beat Au- abilities, charge on. And when you service to our Nation. burn University, one of the most sto- think you can’t work any harder, In just under 2 years in the service, ried football programs in the country. charge on. Jake won the U.S. Army Europe Sol- I had a personal stake in the outcome As a proud fan, I thank the UCF foot- dier of the Year award. Each company of the Peach Bowl, having made a ball team for showing us all what it of the Army made up of about 100 peo- friendly bet on the game with Con- means to charge on. ple selects a soldier to compete in the Best Warrior Competition. Jake was gressman MIKE ROGERS, whose Ala- f bama district is home to Auburn. I am chosen as his company’s representa- excited to collect my winnings from CONGRATULATIONS TO NATIONAL tive. The competition tests soldiers’ MERIT SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS Congressman ROGERS later today, a abilities in a variety of areas, includ- bucket of delicious Florida oranges The SPEAKER pro tempore. The ing a physical test, a written test, that he will deliver to me while car- Chair recognizes the gentleman from marksmanship, land navigation, chem- rying a UCF helmet. Minnesota (Mr. EMMER) for 5 minutes. ical defense, and medical tasks. Jake I thank the football gods that UCF Mr. EMMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise excelled in all, which is why he went on did not lose. Under the terms of the today to recognize seven students from to earn the title of U.S. Army Europe wager, I would have been compelled to my district who have received the 2017 Soldier of the Year affirming his com- blanket a tree on the Capitol grounds National Merit Scholarships. mitment to excellence. with toilet paper, pursuant to a time- The criteria required to receive a Na- Our community is very proud of Jake honored and, frankly, bewildering Au- tional Merit Scholarship is quite dif- and his accomplishments. We admire burn tradition. I am grateful that the ficult. In fact, of the 15,000 finalists se- his dedication and his commitment to Knights saved Capitol Police from the lected, only half will actually receive serve. Congratulations, Jake. trouble of having to arrest a Member of scholarships. The recipients of this COMMEMORATING NATIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT APPRECIATION DAY Congress for vandalism. prestigious scholarship are Connor Even though UCF was not given the Schmidt of Ham Lake, Benjamin Mr. EMMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise opportunity to play for the national Caswell of Shoreview, Raffi today to commemorate National Law championship, the players and coaches Toghramadijan of Blaine, Rachel Cho Enforcement Appreciation Day to re- member the men and women in blue of this team are national champions in of Blaine, Piper Christenson of Spring who protect and serve our great Na- my book. The Knights didn’t just win Lake Park, Catherine Lewis of Blaine, tion. The great State of Minnesota is games, they also won our hearts. They and Kenneth Truong of Coon Rapids. home to many phenomenal law en- didn’t just beat opponents, they also Each one of these students has big forcement officers, men and women, beat the odds. Sports—in particular, plans for the future which include ca- who put their lives on the line each and team sports—have a unique power to reers in medicine, science, and engi- every day to ensure the safety and se- captivate, to unify, and to inspire. neering—all fields that are critically curity of our communities. Under the strong and steady leader- important to the success of our Nation. These are the true heroes, and some, ship of Head Coach , the I congratulate each of these students tragically, have lost their lives in the on receiving this scholarship, and we Knights captivated the school’s stu- line of duty. In 2016, Deputy Steven look forward to watching you achieve dents and alumni, filling them with Sandberg was shot and killed in the great success in your respective ca- pride. They united our Central Florida line of duty in St. Cloud, Minnesota. University community from Orlando to reers. While his death was both senseless and Good work, and good luck. Oviedo, from Apopka to Altamonte tragic, we remember the courageous Springs, and they inspired countless REMEMBERING THE LIFE OF CAPTAIN JEFFREY way he chose to live and serve our local VOLLMER people, young and old alike, both foot- community. ball experts and novices. Importantly, Mr. EMMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise In honor of brave officers like Deputy UCF the football team brought na- today to remember the life of one of Sandberg today and every day, let us tional attention to UCF the university, Minnesota’s heroes. On Tuesday, De- remember and honor the selfless serv- which has quietly become one of Flor- cember 19, 2017, Captain Jeffrey Voll- ice of our men and women in blue. ida’s and our Nation’s academic gems. mer of the Mayer Fire Department died f To be sure, the Knights’ squad was in the line of duty. filled with talented players, seven of A loving father and husband, Jeff is DEFENDING THE AMERICA WORD whom won first team all-conference survived by his wife, Emily, and their The SPEAKER pro tempore. The honors, including rifle-armed quarter- two daughters, Anika and Kennedi. He Chair recognizes the gentleman from back McKenzie Milton, fleet-footed was a 12-year veteran of the all-volun- Massachusetts (Mr. KENNEDY) for 5 running back , and one- teer fire department in Mayer, Min- minutes. handed defensive warrior Shaquem nesota. Friends and colleagues knew Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. Speaker, this Griffin, who personifies courage and him as a selfless and kind leader who morning, a high school senior sat at- character. was always willing to help others. tentively in a Chicago classroom while

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:19 Jan 10, 2018 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K09JA7.008 H09JAPT1