27978 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS December 20, 2001 I would like to congratulate Huntington, form for his many devoted fans. Until he be- ters, daughters of Nancy (Janofski) Pugh, a West Virginia residents Deborah Novak and came ill in November of this year, he never member of the first All-U.P. girls team picked John Witek who have once again created an spoke of retiring and referred to himself as the in 1975, and Ed Benson, All-U.P. in 1971 and insightful and provocative documentary that ‘‘World’s Oldest Teenager.’’ He explained, ‘‘I 1972. Tara credits both parents for their help chronicles three of Blenko’s most famous and ain’t old. You don’t get old when you’re doing in shaping her game, but perhaps her greatest celebrated designers in the era of post-war what you love and enjoying every minute of accomplishment is a personal one—Tara re- modernism. Titled ‘‘Blenko Retro: Three De- it.’’ turned to top-form play this year after sitting signers of American Glass,’’ it is the second of made a life of doing what he out the 2000 season recovering from ACL sur- its kind by the Emmy-Award winners to high- loved and for that he was loved by all who gery. light the significance of Blenko as the industry knew him. A true symbol of undying youth and The sacrifice and the hurdles met and over- leader in modernity in American glass. optimism, Mr. Thomas will be remembered for come by each player are part of the story, as Often said to be reflective of events that the kind heart and boundless energy that he well as the home community itself, Carney. were occurring at that time, Blenko Glass was displayed in all aspects of his life, and for the This is a community that has faced great eco- able to offer a new attitude to Americans, mark he left on musical history. nomic adversity, Mr. Speaker, but, like the rest bringing the sleek and bold creations into their Mr. Speaker, it is with profound reverence of the Upper Peninsula, hope and optimism homes that were parallel to the thirst for mo- that we honor Rufus Thomas. He will be are characteristics of its people. And the dernity and change that swept the nation at missed and remembered fondly by his family school proving that education and sports go the end of the World War II. Novak and Witek and friends, an entire community, and musi- hand in hand, was honored this week in the highlight the role of this American institution, cians and music lovers everywhere. Michigan Golden Apple Awards program as emphasizing the important and permanent po- f one of the state’s most improved schools in sition that Blenko Glass and its designers hold performance on Michigan Educational Assess- TRIBUTE TO THE CARNEY-NADEAU ment Program tests. in creative history. WOLVES, MICHIGAN HIGH f In light of the great challenges facing this SCHOOL CLASS D GIRLS BASKET- team, the championship run of the Carney- TRIBUTE TO THE LIFE, LEGACY, BALL CHAMPIONS Nadeau Wolves caught the attention and AND MUSIC OF RUFUS THOMAS fueled the enthusiasm of sports writers in the HON. BART STUPAK nearby large communities of Menominee and HON. HAROLD E. FORD, JR. OF MICHIGAN Escanaba. Tom Kaeser, assistant sports editor IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF TENNESSEE for the Menominee, Mich.-Marinette, Wis. EagleHerald, has followed Carney-Nadeau for IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Wednesday, December 19, 2001 a decade. He described the 2001 Class D Wednesday, December 19, 2001 Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the girls’ basketball team of Car- champs as ‘‘a team that came together, loved Mr. FORD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in re- ney-Nadeau High School, a Class D school in each other and worked hard together for its membrance of one of music’s greatest icons, the Upper Peninsula of Michigan in my con- bright, shining moment.’’ Dennis Grall, Esca- Rufus Thomas, who passed away in Memphis, gressional district. With only 86 students, Car- naba Daily Press sports editor, summed up TN, on December 15, 2001, at the age of 84. ney-Nadeau is one of the smallest schools in the team’s season in a Dec. 3 story. ‘‘For 11 As his family and friends mourn his passing, its division, but the Carney-Nadeau Wolves months the Carney-Nadeau Wolves lived it is appropriate that we pay tribute to him and proved once again on December 1 that it only under unbelievably immense expectations and his legacy. takes a big heart, not a big school, to win a pressure,’’ ‘‘Dennis wrote. He was on hand— Rufus Thomas was known as one of Mem- state division championship. I say ‘‘once and described the celebration—when the state phis’ most colorful, influential, and beloved en- again,’’ Mr. Speaker, because the Wolves won champs returned home at the head of a two- tertainers during a career that spanned more State titles under their same coach, Paul mile-long motorcade and were given a police than seventy years. As a pioneering disc jock- Polfus, in 1989 and 1990. escort and a fireworks display along the final ey at WDIA, an accomplished recording artist, A team championship can be analyzed in leg of their trip from Escanaba to Carney. and a prolific performer throughout his long numbers, and any sports fan will plenty of ex- Mr. Speaker, basketball is a team sport, career, Mr. Thomas made invaluable contribu- citing statistics associated with this gusty and, as such, every member of the team de- tions to Memphis’ storied musical heritage. team, such as their season record of 26–1 serves credit for her contribution during this Rufus Thomas became widely known for and their coach’s 410–115 career record. In championship season. I am pleased to share songs such as ‘‘Walking the Dog,’’ ‘‘Do the the 54–32 championship game against with you the full roster of the 2001 Michigan Funky Chicken,’’ ‘‘Can Your Monkey Do the McBain Northern Michigan Christian, starter Class D girls basketball state champion Car- Dog?,’’ ‘‘Push and Pull,’’ ‘‘Breakdown’’ and Tara Benson, a senior, led the Wolves with 16 ney-Nadeau Wolves: Tara and Carly Benson, ‘‘Do the Funky Penguin.’’ But Mr. Thomas’s points and snagged six rebounds and six Cindy Charlier, Rachael Folcik, Trisha Her- musical contributions went far beyond com- steals, while her sister Carly, a freshman, nandez, Rachel Kuntze, Leslie Linder, Emily mercial success. A true musical pioneer, he went seven of eight in her shooting. Starter Marsicek, Jenna Mellen, Trisha Otradovec, opened the door for many young musicians Brittany Pipkorn hit four 3-pointers. Brittany Pipkorn, Cassandra Relken, Shawn and helped catapult African American music Peel away those numbers, however, and Retaskie, Erin Schetter, and Roseann into the limelight as a cornerstone of popular you will find enough stories of real people to Schetter. culture and entertainment. Mr. Thomas helped make a movie equal to any classic ‘‘underdog’’ I ask you, Mr. Speaker, to join me and our found two historic recording studios, Stax story. You will learn that Coach Paul Polfus, House colleagues in recognizing the skill, de- Records and Sun Records, that helped launch who has worked at Carney-Nadeau for 26 termination, hard work, optimism, hope, love, the careers of many musical legends, includ- years, was once a basketball player at this and teamwork of the Carney-Nadeau Wolves, ing B. B. King, Otis Redding, Isaac Hayes, same school, coached by the current super- Michigan Class D basketball champions. and Elvis Presley. intendent Ron Solberg. Inducted into the U.P. f In recognition of his great contributions, Sports Hall of Fame in 1996, Paul celebrates NEWSPAPER SAYS INDIAN GOV- Rufus Thomas was honored by the Rock and his third girls’ championship with his wife Col- ERNMENT KNEW OF PAR- Roll Hall of Fame in 1998, one of many acco- leen and their sons Jacob, Michael and Matt. LIAMENT ATTACK lades he received throughout his career. His In our own version of ‘‘Rocky,’’ look behind songs have remained popular since their re- the numbers to find 5-foot, 1-inch starter Tracy HON. DAN BURTON lease and have been re-recorded by groups Hernandez, who vowed after the team’s loss OF INDIANA such as and . He in the finals last year that the team would win IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES was featured as a performer at the 1996 the title this year. Tracy kept her vow by re- Olympic Games in Atlanta. porting to the gym every morning at 5:30 to lift Wednesday, December 19, 2001 Yet, even with all of his successes, Rufus weights and work toward that goal. Mr. BURTON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, the Thomas remained an integral part of the com- The story of this championship season is recent attack on India’s Parliament by terror- munity—always accessible and willing to per- also revealed in the story of the Benson sis- ists must be condemned. While there are

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