E440 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks March 31, 2008 second Civil Rights Game and new Urban In- years, he became a senior development spe- PSU is a source of pride for our State. The Vi- vitational—40 years since the tragic death of cialist under Governor Thomas R. Carper. king’s athletic achievements reflect the spirit Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.—are on the Throughout the past 12 years, Mike has been and work ethic of their university, and I am heels of our observance last year of the 60th an integral part of the Riverfront Development proud to honor their achievement today. anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking the Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize color barrier. ESPN is honored to join with Corporation. He assisted in the construction of MLB to celebrate baseball’s cultural his- the Amtrak Consolidated National Operations each member of the PSU men’s basketball tory.’’ Center, the Chase Center on the Riverfront, team individually, beginning with Head Coach Tickets to the games being played at the Tubman-Garrett Riverfront Park, the Ken Bone, Assistant Head Coach Tyler MLB Urban Youth Academy will be available Riverwalk, Christina Landing, and the Justison Geving, Assistant Coaches Curtis Allen and for purchase on game day for $5. Proceeds Landing. Mike also worked to bring AAA Mid- Eric Harper, and Director of Basketball Oper- from the ticket sale will benefit the Major Atlantic’s headquarters to the Wilmington river- ations Tyler Coston. Furthermore, I congratu- League Baseball Urban Youth Academy, front. late the 2007–2008 PSU Viking’s: Kyle which is a not-for-profit 501 (c)(3) corpora- Coston, Brian Curtis, Jeremiah Dominguez, tion. Mike was born and raised in Wilmington, ‘‘On behalf of our team, I would like to say Delaware. He attended Archmere Academy, Justynn Hammond, Deonte Huff, Jaime Jones, how honored we are to have been invited to where he currently serves on the board of di- Lucas Dupree, Tyrell Mara, J.R. Moore, Scott an event like this, especially in its first rectors. He graduated from the University of Morison, Andre Murray, Phil Nelson, Mickey year,’’ said Bethune-Cookman Coach Mervyl St. Joseph’s, where he earned his bachelor’s Polis, Julius Thomas, Alex Tiefenthaler and Melendez. ‘‘We hope that the Urban Invita- degree in public administration. Mike serves Dominic Waters. tional Baseball Tournament continues to Madam Speaker, I invite my colleagues to grow and more people notice what Major on the National Alumni Board for St. Joseph’s and was honored with the Ignatius Award in join me in congratulating these outstanding League Baseball is doing for college baseball young men. On behalf of the entire State of and Historically Black Colleges.’’ 1995 for outstanding alumni involvement and ‘‘Our program is very excited to represent service. Mike also attended the Fels Center of Oregon, congratulations and good luck. Go Vi- UCLA in the tournament at the MLB Acad- Government at the University of Pennsylvania. kings. emy,’’ said UCLA coach John Savage. ‘‘We Being a Delaware native, Mike has contrib- f are honored to be able to play in the inau- uted many years of service to the State of IN RECOGNITION OF THE CITY OF gural event. Our players are looking forward Delaware. He currently sits on the board of di- to the exciting weekend of baseball.’’ MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS Major League Baseball is committed to ad- rectors for the Latin American Community dressing the issue of African American par- Center, the Delaware Stadium Corporation, HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH the Friends of the Woodlawn Library, the ticipation in professional baseball. Through OF OHIO Reviving Baseball in the hinder Cities pre- Riverfront Wilmington Improvement District, IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES sented by KPMG and the establishment of and the Rivers Edge Community Development the Major League Baseball Urban Youth Corporation. Not only has he been an active Monday, March 31, 2008 Academy in Compton, California, MLB has board member for numerous organizations, Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, I rise pledged its resources to bringing urban today in recognition of the city of Middleburg youth back to America’s pastime. The inau- but Mike has also been a member of the gural Civil Rights Game in 2007 also rein- Barbelin Society and the Hawk Hoop Club. Heights, Ohio on the occasion of the twentieth forced the League’s dedication by paying I acknowledge Mr. Michael J. Hare for his Anniversary Salute to the City event at the tribute to legendary African-American play- many years of service and numerous contribu- award-winning Middleburg Heights community ers who broke barriers and made important tions to his community and the State of Dela- center. Evolving from the Inaugural Ball, the contributions to American society. ware. I am confident that Mike will be suc- Salute to the City event has paid tribute to in- HBCUs have long offered quality education cessful and prosperous at his new job with the dividuals, groups, and organizations that col- and athletic programs and have a proud tra- Bucchini Pollin Group. It is inspiring to see lectively work to make Middleburg Heights the dition of outstanding baseball players. Hall pride of Ohio and its residents. of Farrier Lou Brock, former most valuable such an active and influential member of our player Andre Dawson and current Milwaukee community remain committed to the better- Since years before even the Salute to the Brewers star Rickie Weeks, all rose from ment of Delaware. City began, Middleburg Heights would not HBCUs. Twelve HBCU players were selected f have been the incredible city that it is today in the MLB 2007 First-Year Player Draft. without the leadership, service, and vision of Through the annual Urban Invitational TRIBUTE TO PORTLAND STATE Mayor Gary Starr. In his work as mayor since Baseball Tournament, MLB hopes to help UNIVERSITY MEN’S BASKETBALL 1981 and councilman for several years prior, these programs revitalize baseball in the Af- TEAM Gary has paved the way for present and fu- rican American community. ture community and economic enhancements The MLB Urban Youth Baseball Academy encompasses more than 15 acres on the cam- HON. DAVID WU to the City of Middleburg Heights. I applaud pus of El Camino College, Compton Center, OF OREGON his dedication and strong commitment of the the Academy is a state-of-the-art facility IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES people of Middleburg Heights. featuring four fields including a show field, I stand with the Salute to the City com- batting cages and other training facilities. Monday, March 31, 2008 mittee, including founding committee members The Academy operates on a year-round basis, Mr. WU. Madam Speaker, I rise today to Darlene Kobask and Lona Gruber, to honor offering free baseball and softball instruc- congratulate the Portland State University Mayor Gary Starr, all members of the Middle- tion, as well as clinics to youth throughout men’s basketball team on achieving their first- burg Heights City Council—including Council Southern California. ever birth to the NCAA Division I Champion- President Alan C. Budney, Councilman at f ship Tournament. The Vikings capped off their Large James F. Sheppard, Councilman at IN HONOR OF MICHAEL J. HARE historic season with a 67–51 win in the Big Large Tim Ali, Ward 1 Councilman David Sky Conference Championship game over Bortolotto, and Ward 4 Councilman Raymond HON. MICHAEL N. CASTLE Northern Arizona University at the Rose Gar- G. Guttman—and the employees of all city de- den in Portland. PSU finished their regular partments. OF DELAWARE season with a 23–9 record, and were Together with the Salute to the City com- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES undefeated in the Big Sky Conference Tour- mittee, I also honor the contributions of other Monday, March 31, 2008 nament. On Sunday, the Vikings will learn who groups and organizations serving residents of Mr. CASTLE. Madam Speaker, it is with they will play in the first round of the ‘‘Big Middleburg Heights, including the American great pleasure that I rise today to recognize Dance.’’ Association of Retired Persons, the Berea City Michael J. Hare, deputy director of the River- The NCAA Tournament is one of the great School District, the Middleburg Heights Wom- front Development Corporation of Delaware. institutions in all of collegiate sports. It brings en’s Club, the Friends of the Library, the Mid- Mike has been an important figure there since together the best college teams from across dleburg Heights Kiwanis Club, the Middleburg April 1996, but has decided to take a new di- our Nation to compete for basketball’s greatest Heights Community Council, the Tri-City Sen- rection and join the Bucchini Pollin Group. prize. Oregon is proud of every one of these ior Center, Southwest Adult Day Care, the Mike will be working on the new soccer sta- outstanding young men and their coaches. Middleburg Heights Chamber of Commerce, dium in Chester, Pennsylvania. It is also fitting that we should take this op- the Middleburg Heights Historical Society, the Mike started working for the Delaware Eco- portunity to recognize the entire Portland State Middleburg Heights Veterans Memorial Com- nomic Development office in 1989. After 6 community. As Oregon’s largest university, mittee, the Rotary Club of Middleburg Heights, VerDate Aug 31 2005 04:28 Apr 01, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A31MR8.001 E31MRPT1 ccoleman on PROD1PC77 with REMARKS.