Recognizing Coach Kevin Kiernan

Floor Speech

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Mr. CORREA. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to celebrate the career of Mater Dei High School Coach Kevin Kiernan. After 17 years at Mater Dei coaching the girls basketball team, this will be his last season coaching the Monarchs.

Coach Kiernan recently celebrated his 900th win after a decisive victory in the southern California regional playoffs. It was a bittersweet moment for the coach as he and his players reflected on the legacy that he is leaving behind. He wraps up his coaching career with 12 CIF Southern Section titles, six State crowns, and two national championships. That is a record.

Coach Kiernan is an Orange County native, and Mater Dei High School will keep him as athletic director.

We wish him the best. I am glad he is staying around. Let's keep the good work going. Honoring Richard ``Dick'' Higgins

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Mr. CORREA. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to honor the heroic life and legacy of Richard ``Dick'' Higgins.

Dick was a husband, longtime Orange County resident, and a national hero. He served in the Navy during World War II after surviving the horrific attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.

His service to our community continued after he left the Navy, visiting schools and doing interviews and making sure that history stayed alive with young people and others in Orange County.

Dick lived to be 102 years old, and he is survived by two children, two grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. In his words, he now goes to be with his beloved Winnie Ruth, his wife of 60 years.

I thank Dick for his service to our country and thank him for his sacrifice. Honoring Orange County School Counselors of the Year

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Mr. CORREA. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to honor this year's Orange County School Counselors of the Year.

I am so proud that two of these counselors are from my hometown. Mr. Gernux is from Santa Ana Unified School District, and Ms. Rodriguez is from Anaheim Union School District, both of whom represent the best in our local public schools.

Like myself, Ms. Rodriguez and Mr. Gernux were grown in our local hometowns. They are products of Orange County public schools, and now they are giving back to the public school system that gave them so much.

Ms. Rodriguez, Mr. Gernux, and the rest of these fine educators will continue to shape the future leaders of tomorrow. All of us in Orange County and in Congress appreciate their commitment to our community, our youth, and our future.

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