E1390 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks July 22, 2011 several of her teammates in tow. It was ‘‘Abby Abby and her teammates have been role and memory. Kyle Pagerly is survived by his Wambach Day’’ in Rochester, and she re- models for all with their poise both on and off wife, Alecia Anne, as well as his parents, his ceived a key to the city in commendation of the field and their dedication to the sport. I siblings, and his first child, due in January. her awe-inspiring talents. The regularly sched- could not be more proud of her and her team- Mr. Speaker and fellow colleagues, please uled game between magicJack of Boca Raton, mates as role models for young women inter- join me in honor and remembrance of a true FL and the Western New York Flash saw a ested in sports. I encourage children of all American hero, Deputy Sheriff Kyle D. sellout crowd of 15,404, a record for the 3- ages to be as inspired by the success of the Pagerly. year-old league. It is clear that we have all U.S. Women’s National team as I am, and to f been infused with a love of the game and a get involved with sports so that everyone can respect for our players, and I hope that pas- IN TRIBUTE TO THE REVEREND reap the benefits of this highly beneficial activ- DR. ROLEN LEWIS WOMACK, JR. sion never dies. ity. Best of luck to the U.S. Women’s National The success of the U.S. Women’s National AND REVEREND DR. BETTY Team in the future; I know this is not the last WASHINGTON WOMACK Team is of particular importance because it time we will be cheering for them in the World shows young women and girls that like men, Cup Finals. With the London 2012 Olympic they too can earn the respect and admiration Games on the horizon, we won’t have to wait HON. GWEN MOORE of the world through hard work, teamwork, and long to see them back in action on the world OF WISCONSIN perseverance on the athletic field. stage. Go USA! IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Since 2004, I’ve sponsored legislation in the Friday, July 22, 2011 House that would help high schools improve f Ms. MOORE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay trib- opportunities for girls in sports, and thereby TRIBUTE TO KYLE D. PAGERLY encourage greater participation of both girls ute to Reverend Dr. Rolen Lewis Womack, Jr. and boys in athletics. H.R. 458, the High and Reverend Dr. Betty Washington Womack, School Athletics Accountability Act, would re- HON. TIM HOLDEN the founding pastor and first lady of Milwau- quire that high schools report basic data on OF PENNSYLVANIA kee’s Progressive Baptist Church. After 23 the number of female and male students in IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES years of dedicated service to their congrega- their athletic programs and the expenditures Friday, July 22, 2011 tion and the greater Milwaukee community, they are retiring to their native Texas. made for their sports teams. Without informa- Mr. HOLDEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to tion about how athletic opportunities and ben- While fulfilling his role as pastor/teacher/ honor Berks County Deputy Sheriff Kyle prophet, Dr. Rolen Womack completed his efits are being allocated at the high school Pagerly for his service and sacrifice to Penn- level, female students may be deprived of Doctor of Ministry degree at United Theo- sylvania and the United States. Deputy Kyle logical Seminary in Dayton, Ohio. He is a na- their chance to participate in athletics. Pagerly was killed in the line of duty on June And participation in sports has a multitude tive of Houston, Texas and is a graduate of 29, 2011. of positive effects on young women and girls, Texas Southern University with an earned Kyle was a 2001 graduate of Wilson High both physically and socially. For many young Masters of Divinity degree from Northern Bap- School in West Lawn, Berks County, PA. Fol- women, sports are often their ticket to higher tist Theological Seminary in Lombard, Illinois. lowing his graduation he served honorably as education through athletic scholarships. I’ve Dr. Betty Womack is a native of Galveston, a U.S. Army Military Police Officer in Kosovo met with so many Olympic gold medalists that Texas, a graduate of Huston-Tillotson College told me without Title IX, which gave them ac- and Iraq. Upon returning home, Kyle pursued and an earned Masters of Education degree cess to athletic scholarships; they never would a career in law enforcement and graduated from Sam Houston State University in Hunts- have had the chance to go to college. While from the Reading Police Academy, Federal ville, Texas. She served as Director of Student we have made significant strides towards eq- Prison Academy, and Philadelphia Canine Services in the Beaver Dam School District uity in athletics—since the 1972 enactment of Academy. and received her administrative certification at Title IX the number of women competing in Kyle proudly served as a Deputy in the K– the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She college sports has soared by more than 500 9 Unit of the Berks County Sheriff’s Depart- received a Doctorate of Education from Mil- percent while the number of high school girls ment with his German Shepherd partner, Jynx. waukee’s Cardinal Stritch University. competing in sports increased by over 1,000 He loved to be outdoors, hiking, and enjoying Dr. Rolen Womack has a social justice ac- percent—we must continue to monitor our nature. He was an active runner and loved to tivism and community advocacy ministry that progress and ensure that our nation’s young work out. He ran a marathon in 2010 and features an Afrocentric frame of reference. He women have the rights and opportunities they completed numerous triathlons. is one of the strongest advocates in the com- deserve. On June 29, 2011 Deputy Pagerly was part munity and is a frequent guest on local radio This year’s Women’s World Cup was thrill- of a fugitive task force dispatched to serve a talk shows and local television on issues re- ing and is indicative of the amazing talent of warrant in Albany Township. When task force lated to justice and public education. Dr. Rolen our U.S. Women’s National Team. The suc- members arrived, the suspect fled into the Womack has been featured in Education cess of our team has captivated men, women nearby woods. Deputy Pagerly and his partner Weekly and other periodicals and has partici- and children who nervously watched as the Jynx pursued him when the suspect opened pated in educational forums in many major cit- squad overcame Brazil in the last minute to tri- fire. Once Deputy Pagerly was hit, Jynx at- ies. umph in penalty kicks, and then swept past tempted to pull him to safety and alerted other The ministry at Progressive Baptist includes France with their athleticism shining as they officers of the shooter’s presence. Deputy a Youth Ministry, Music and Stage Ministry, moved onto the final. I proudly cheered for Pagerly was gravely wounded and airlifted to Discipleship and Men’s Fellowship, Women’s them as they faced Japan on Sunday in the a nearby hospital where he succumbed to his Fellowship, W.I.N.G.S. HIV–AIDS ministry and final, and was filled with admiration for their wounds. Had it not been for Deputy Pagerly Custodial and Fiscal Ministries. Dr. Betty relentlessness on the field. Their accomplish- and his partner’s actions, it is very possible Womack has a strong commitment to the de- ments as a team are inspiring: two Women’s that more lives could have been lost. velopment of youth and youth programs at World Cups, three Olympic Gold Medals, and Deputy Kyle Pagerly died a hero. He dedi- Progressive. She has fostered the Christian eight Algarve Cups, earning them a com- cated his life to the protection of his fellow development of youth by organizing and ad- mendation as one of the finest teams in the man. He gave life, even through his death, by ministering Vacation Bible School and Youth world. I must also congratulate Japan for their donating his organs and tissues so that others Outings to historic and scientific sites. To- performance and sportsmanship in a game can live. Kyle’s death has not been forgotten gether they actively work with new members that was watched by millions around the by the community he loved and served. At in Foundation classes to integrate them into globe, and that kept everyone on the edge of Deputy Pagerly’s memorial service, Berks the life of Progressive Church. Dr. Betty their seats into the final penalty kicks. Though County Sheriff Eric Weaknecht retired Kyle’s Womack is the past president of the the U.S. team was ultimately unsuccessful in call number and awarded his partner Jynx the W.I.N.G.S. HIV–AIDS ministry. a heartbreaking 3–1 penalty shootout, I cannot Medal of Honor. Deputy Sheriff Kyle Pagerly She is the past President of the Wisconsin imagine a more deserving adversary in Japan, was later awarded the same Medal of Honor Pastor’s Wives Association and the former Ex- who so recently suffered a devastating earth- posthumously. ecutive Board Member of the American Baptist quake and tsunami. I hope this victory will A memorial fund has been set up in Kyle’s Education Association of Wisconsin. He is the bring joy to their people, and I know that the name, numerous benefits have been held in past president of the Wisconsin Baptist Pas- Japanese citizens are as proud of their team his honor, and thousands of people have tors Conference, a director of the Minority Min- as we are of ours.