36134 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 153, Pt. 27 December 18, 2007 Carroll College is a private, Catholic seven times under his direction. Van complish this goal the members not college in my hometown of Helena, MT. Diest is not only a fantastic coach who only have to juggle long practices and Carroll boasts an enrollment of about has built a winning football program; games, but they continue to achieve 1,500 students and is known around the he is an even better person, husband, academic excellence. Not only are country for its award-winning aca- and father. Mike has taught his players these young men excellent athletes and demic and preprofessional programs. many life lessons along the way. He students, but they pride themselves in Carroll is particularly strong in preaches the importance of getting a giving back to their community for all premedical, engineering, and nursing quality education, the value of team- the support they have received by programs. work, and the need to give back to the doing community service, fundraising, The Saints enjoy great support from community. This embodies the service and school public relations. the community of Helena and from mission of Carroll College and the Fort Campbell, KY, is proud to be folks all across Big Sky country. Fans school’s motto, ‘‘Not for school but for home to the 101st Airborne Division pack Nelson Stadium on the Carroll life.’’ Coach Van Diest has a lifetime of and 160th Special Operations Airborne campus each Saturday when there is a respect and appreciation for the Carroll Division. Many of the players on the home game. Rain, snow, sub-zero tem- standard and tradition of excellence Fort Campbell Falcons have loved ones peratures—nothing will stop the Car- and the college is truly blessed to have currently serving our Nation abroad. I roll faithful from coming out to cheer him. am confident that these loved ones on their beloved Saints. I always look All of Carroll’s athletic programs would be proud of what the Falcons forward to being a part of the crowd have enjoyed great success as of late. have accomplished this season. whenever I can. The student cheering This fall the women’s soccer team won The citizens of Fort Campbell, KY, section known as the ‘‘Carroll Crazies’’ the first ever Frontier Conference are fortunate to have the 2007 Class 2– joins with parents and community Championship and claimed their first A State Champions and families living members to create an atmosphere that ever victory at the NAIA national and learning in their community. Their is so energetic on game day you would tournament. The men’s and women’s example of hard work and determina- think you were at a much larger basketball team and the volleyball tion should be followed by all in the school. team have also won numerous con- Commonwealth. Like hard working folks all across ference championships in recent years I am very proud of the accomplish- Montana I value my money, but I was and have represented the school proud- ments these young men have made. I so confident that Carroll would be vic- ly in regional and national tour- would like to congratulate the mem- torious in the title game that I made a naments. This record of excellence can bers of the Fort Campbell High School little wager with my good friend from be attributed to the fine student ath- Varsity football team for their success. South Dakota, Senator Tim Johnson. letes that come to Carroll from towns But, also, I want to congratulate their The winner gets some delicious buffalo small and large all across Montana and peers, coaches, teachers, administra- steaks my staff and I look forward to the Northwest. These individuals put it tors, and dedicated parents for the sup- enjoying them. A special thanks to all on the line not only on the playing port and sacrifices they have made to Senator JOHNSON for being such a good fields and courts but also in the class- help the Fort Campbell High School sport. room. I appreciate and admire this tra- football team make their dreams a re- In the title game the Saints were led dition of excellence in both athletics ality.∑ by running back Gabe Le, who slogged and academics. Many athletes achieve f through the mud to pick up 116 hard- honor roll status and go on to experi- VALDOSTA STATE NATIONAL fought yards and scored Carroll’s only ence success in their respective fields CHAMPIONS two touchdowns on the day. For his ef- of study. The dedicated coaches and forts Le, a sophomore from Hayden, ID, their staff have nurtured and helped ∑ Mr. CHAMBLISS. Mr. President, was named the offensive player of the these athletes to grow by putting in today I wish to congratulate the Val- game. Le started the season as a countless hours throughout the year to dosta State University Blazers football backup but found his way into the prepare for their respective seasons. team for winning the 2007 NCAA Divi- starting lineup and rushed for over 100 Athletic director Bruce Parker also de- sion II National Championship. yards in each of Carroll’s four victories serves recognition as he has helped to The Blazers celebrated their second in the playoffs. The Carroll defense build and oversee the success of Carroll national championship in 4 years on rose to the occasion and slowed down athletics. December 15, 2007, in Florence, AL, and Sioux Falls’ high-flying offense. Hard Finally, I would like to congratulate completed their season with a final hitting linebacker Owen Koeppen, a the president of Carroll College, Dr. record of 13 to 1. Valdosta State’s play- junior from Florence, MT, took the Tom Trebon, whose leadership and off run included victories over Catawba honors as defensive player of the game. dedication have made Carroll the high- University, University of North Ala- Koeppen has also been named to the ly regarded institution that it is. I look bama, and the University of California- 2007 American Football Coaches Asso- forward to cheering on the Saints Pennsylvania en route to defeating ciation NAIA All-America Team. again in 2008 as they begin their quest Northwest Missouri State 25 to 20 in The 2007 edition of the Fighting for an unprecedented sixth national the championship game. Saints was particularly dominant. title. I know they will make Montana I am extremely proud of these tal- They finished the season a perfect 15–0, proud.∑ ented men for all of their hard work running their record over the past 6 f and dedication that contributed to this years to an astounding 79 to 6. The victory. I congratulate all of the team squad didn’t surrender a touchdown TRIBUTE TO FORT CAMPBELL members, particularly the senior class. until the eighth game of the season and HIGH SCHOOL Their leadership and talents will surely gave up an average of less than five ∑ Mr. BUNNING. Mr. President, I wish be missed. In addition, sophomore wide points per game. Carroll outscored to pay tribute to the Fort Campbell receiver Cedric Jones and junior safety their opponents by a combined total of Varsity football team from Fort Camp- Sherard Reynolds were both named 370 to 72. bell, KY. On December 8, 2007, the Fort First-Team All-Americans. The Blazers Head football coach Mike Van Diest, Campbell High School Varsity football also had seven players named to the a native of East Helena, came home in team won the Class 2–A State Cham- Gulf South Conference All-Conference 1999 to coach the Saints. In addition to pionship in Louisville, KY. Team, including Cedric Jones, Gerald the five national titles, the Saints have For the young men on this team, this Davis, William Montford, Sherard Rey- won eight straight Frontier Conference is not just a trophy; it is an affirma- nolds, Maurice Leggett, Michael Terry, championships and made it to the tion that with hard work and deter- and Travis Harrison. Furthermore, I semifinal round of the NAIA playoffs mination, anything is possible. To ac- would like to extend my appreciation VerDate Mar 15 2010 09:07 Oct 08, 2010 Jkt 059102 PO 00000 Frm 00113 Fmt 0686 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR07\S18DE7.003 S18DE7 erowe on DSK5CLS3C1PROD with BOUND RECORD December 18, 2007 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 153, Pt. 27 36135 to all the families and fans for their querque, NM; Lake Arthur High School former Secretaries of State to improve continual support of the Blazers in Lake Arthur, NM; Logan High public understanding of the role of di- throughout the season. School in Logan, NM; Los Alamos High plomacy and the Foreign Service. As The success of the team could not School in Los Alamos, NM; Magdalena he has stated: have been achieved without the excep- High School in Magdalena, NM; Sandia Many Americans have little idea what an tional coaching staff, led by head coach High School in Albuquerque, NM; embassy is, or what an ambassador does. Nor David Dean. Coach Dean is in his first Springer High School in Springer, NM; are they aware that our diplomats and other season as head coach of the Blazers, Tatum High School in Tatum, NM; and Foreign Service personnel work 24/7 around having been the team’s offensive coor- Texico High School in Texico, NM. the world in the interest of the American dinator for the past 7 years. He is only Again, I commend these fine high people. the second first-year coach in history schools on a job well done, and I hope His subsequent advocacy and leader- to lead his team to a Division II title.