July 8, 2013 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1017 Deuntae was raised in Lexington, MS. He tantly, Rondo Days is a celebration of the per- ships, four conference titles, nine division ti- went to Lexington Elementary School (LES) severance and tenacity of the modern Rondo tles, and made 17 playoff appearances; and Jacob J. McClain High School and grad- community, which remains a vibrant, diverse Whereas, The 2012–2013 Miami Heat orga- uated in the top 10 from both schools. He is and thriving neighborhood. nization is comprised of players: Ray Allen, currently a student at Jackson State Univer- For many decades, Rondo Avenue was the Chris Anderson, Joel Anthony, Shane Battier, sity, majoring in mathematics. His goal is to lively center of the African-American commu- Chris Bosh, Mario Chalmers, Norris Cole, become a math teacher. nity in Saint Paul. Construction of U.S. Inter- Udonis Haslem, Juwan Howard, LeBron While growing up, Deuntae had a desire to state 94 in the 1960s resulted in the removal James, James Jones, Rashard Lewis, Mike teach children, probably because his mother of the avenue along with hundreds of homes Miller, Jarvis Varnado, Dwyane Wade; has been a teacher all his life. He became and businesses, shattering the tight-knit com- Whereas, LeBron James was named the certain in his senior year in high school that munity. Many families were displaced and the NBA Most Valuable Player during the 2012– he could teach children. During high school, appearance of the neighborhood was forever 2013 regular season, was named the NBA Deuntae joined a group called TATU (Teens changed, but the spirit of Rondo lived on. Most Valuable Player during the 2013 finals, Against Tobacco Use). TATU is an organiza- Capturing a strong desire for a community re- and joined Michael Jordan and Bill Russell as tion that teaches students about the effects of vival, in 1982, Marvin ‘‘Roger’’ Anderson and the only players in NBA history to win back-to- using tobacco, the substances in tobacco, and Floyd Smaller founded a new festival to re- back NBA finals and regular season MVP the signs of peer pressure coming from friends store the sense of kinship, stability, and com- awards; and role models. It was then that Deuntae re- munity values of the old Rondo neighborhood. Whereas, The San Antonio Spurs were sec- alized that he could be a good role model and Rondo Days was born, growing into a major onds away from winning the NBA finals until that this was the key to being a good teacher annual weekend festival drawing together Ray Allen hit a clutch three-pointer, sending and leader. Whenever he was out in the com- thousands of residents in celebration of the the game into overtime and forcing a decisive munity around his peers and children, he led community. Each year, neighbors and families game seven; by example. If the smaller children wanted to come together for activities including a senior Whereas, The Miami Heat coaching staff play on the basketball court, he would either dinner, 5K walk and run, drill team competi- exhibited exemplary leadership and guidance; convince his peers to let them play on half the tion, and the Grand Parade. Whereas, The Miami Heat coaching staff, in- The rich legacy of old Rondo Avenue is also court or let them play with them while perhaps cluded: Erik Spoelstra, Head Coach; Bob the foundation for the future of the new Rondo helping them improve their skills. McAdoo, Assistant Coach; Ron Rothstein, As- neighborhood. For decades, many families Living in the house with a teacher and a sistant Coach; David Fizdale, Assistant Coach; called Rondo Avenue home, and many new deputy taught Deuntae two important things: Chad Kammerer, Assistant Coach; Octavio De residents from the South were welcomed on respect and education. Deuntae’s father al- La Grana, Assistant Coach; Bill Foran, doorsteps along the avenue. Residents were ways told him to respect others and good Strength and Conditioning Coach; Jay Sabol, proud of their neighborhood and planted deep things will happen and stressed to him the im- Athletic Trainer; Rey Jaffet, Assistant Trainer; roots, branching out to start businesses to portance of making good grades in school. Rob Pimental, Assistant Trainer; serve the community and create new oppor- These teachings helped mold Deuntae into a Whereas, The Miami Heat management has tunity. During a time of segregation and harsh respectable person and thus respecting all shown a positive commitment to the Miami racial disparities, Rondo Avenue allowed many others. Heat franchise by successfully acquiring, as- African-Americans to dream big and believe in Deuntae believes that if he had the power to sembling, and maintaining a team of high- a brighter future. This pride and these dreams help anyone he would do it. When his peers quality, winning players; remain undiminished today. As Saint Paul or even elementary kids asked him to help Whereas, The Miami Heat Organization them with the classwork, he did and he was gathers for the 30th time to celebrate Rondo Days, families and neighbors will be reunited, consists of executive staff, including: Micky ecstatic whenever a child came back to tell Arison, Managing General Partner; Nick him ‘‘Thank you.’’ new friends welcomed, and everyone will be looking to an even brighter future. Arison, Chief Executive Officer; Pat Riley, Deuntae spent his high school summers at President; Erik Spoelstra, Head Coach; Eric the Community Students Learning Center in Mr. Speaker, in honor of the community, history, and legacy of the Rondo neighbor- Woolworth, President, Business Operations; Lexington, MS, where he got a head start on Michael McCullough, Executive Vice Presi- his learning before school started in August. hood, and as a neighbor myself, I am pleased to submit this statement for the CONGRES- dent/CMO; Mike Walker, Executive Vice Presi- At the center, he interacted with the children dent, HEAT Group Enterprises; Alonzo Mourn- by playing games, talking with them, and help- SIONAL RECORD recognizing the 30th Anniver- sary of Rondo Days in Saint Paul, Minnesota. ing, Vice President, Player Programs; Stephen ing them with their work, if asked. Weber, Executive Vice President, Sales; Kim Deuntae is now in his second semester as f Stone, Executive Vice President/General Man- a junior at Jackson State University. He plans HONORING THE MIAMI HEAT ON ager, American Airlines Arena; Sammy to come back home after graduation for a few THEIR THIRD NBA CHAMPIONSHIP Schulman, Executive Vice President/CFO; years and help teach at one of the local Raquel Libman, Executive Vice President/ schools or the Community Students Learning General Counsel; Center. His passion for teaching has height- HON. FREDERICA S. WILSON OF FLORIDA Whereas, The Miami Heat players have ened and he is anxious to start. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES been outstanding role models on and off the Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me court; in recognizing a talented student, Mr. Deuntae Monday, July 8, 2013 Whereas, The Miami Heat organization has Sheard, for his zest for teaching and making Ms. WILSON of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I sub- enriched the South Florida community through a difference in his community. mit the following. public service programs, including: Heat Acad- f Whereas, The Miami Heat won their third National Basketball Association (NBA) Cham- emy; Heat Scholarships; Miami Heat Read to HONORING THE 30TH pionship in franchise history on Thursday, Achieve; Miami Heat Fund-Raiser; Miami Heat ANNIVERSARY OF RONDO DAYS June 20, 2013, by defeating the San Antonio Wheels; Shoot for the Stars; Books and Bas- Spurs with a score of 95 to 88 in the seventh ketball Summer Clinics; Heat Youth Basket- HON. BETTY McCOLLUM game of the NBA finals, in Miami, Florida at ball; Miami Heat Learn to Swim Program; Whereas, The Miami Heat fans have been OF MINNESOTA the American Airlines Arena; an integral part of this championship by pro- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Whereas, During the 2013 NBA playoffs, the Miami Heat defeated the Milwaukee Bucks, viding unwavering support throughout the en- Monday, July 8, 2013 Chicago Bulls, Indiana Pacers, and San Anto- tire season, and each and every season prior; Ms. MCCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, today I rise nio Spurs; Whereas, The Miami Heat performance to pay tribute to the families of the Rondo Whereas, The Miami Heat are the second against the San Antonio Spurs during the neighborhood in Saint Paul, Minnesota on the team in five years to win back-to-back cham- 2013 NBA finals will go down as one the 30th anniversary of the Rondo Days festival. pionships, and the Miami Heat are the first to greatest series in NBA history; Rondo Days offers a remembrance of this his- defeat the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Resolved, that the House of Representa- torically African-American community that was finals; tives honors the entire Miami Heat organiza- dramatically altered by the construction of U.S. Whereas, Since its founding in 1988, the tion for winning the 2013 NBA World Cham- Interstate 94 in the mid-1960s. More impor- Miami Heat has won three world champion- pionship. VerDate Mar 15 2010 04:52 Jul 09, 2013 Jkt 029060 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A08JY8.012 E08JYPT1 pwalker on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with REMARKS E1018 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks July 8, 2013 HONORING JAVARIS DEON The Gala began with a very special per- many inner city schools. For her outstanding RODGERS formance that included musical highlights from contributions to gospel music, she was pre- ‘‘Mama, I Want to Sing and Sing, Harlem, sented with the Thomas A. Dorsey Most Nota- HON.