Congratulating Caleb Gilbert
Floor Speech
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Mr. CLINE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize an extraordinary young man, Caleb Gilbert, the world champion of the 86th annual All- American Soap Box Derby in Akron, Ohio, where he represented Harrisonburg, Virginia, to claim first place in the super stock division.
Starting at just 7 years old, Caleb has dedicated countless hours to this sport, logging thousands of miles up and down the East Coast to compete in every kind of weather: rain, shine, and even snow. Last year, he became the national rally point champion in the stock division, racking up an impressive 1,198 points.
His family: his father, Ron; his mother, Mary; and his younger sister, Gracelyn have been his steadfast support, being by his side as he spent hours meticulously assembling and calibrating his car, which was painted to echo the iconic guitar of Eddie Van Halen.
The Soap Box Derby community is full of camaraderie, helping to keep the spirit of this uniquely American tradition alive. Caleb has received mentorship from engineers in the automotive and aviation industries, and he has built lasting friendships with fellow competitors from around the country.
Madam Speaker, please join me in congratulating Caleb Gilbert, our all-American Soap Box Derby world champion. Congratulating the North Cross School Boys' Tennis Team Winning VISAA Division II State Championship
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Mr. CLINE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the North Cross School boys' tennis team from Roanoke, Virginia, for winning the 2024 Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association Division II State championship. This momentous win marks a historic three-peat for the Raiders, who went 16 and 1 this season and now have added a fifth boys' tennis State championship to North Cross School's trophy cabinet.
The roster, consisting of Tyler Bloomfield, Attilio Ciccozzi, Jamey Davis, Jacob Juneau, Christian Lang, George Lugar, Henry Lugar, Shar Nanda, Anderson Ratliff, Sam Schaefer, Paul Schaefer, Nikheel Sherigar, and Abram Sherman, exemplified the values of hard work and perseverance. Their individual and collective achievements serve as a true testament to their commitment to excellence.
I commend North Cross School Head Coach Jim Shaefer and Assistant Coach Ryan Schlachter for their unwavering dedication to nurturing a team of such extraordinary talents.
I want to highlight the remarkable accomplishments of first-team all- State members Henry Lugar and George Lugar, and second-team all-State Jacob Juneau and Tyler Bloomfield.
Madam Speaker, once again, I congratulate the North Cross Raiders boys' tennis team on this incredible accomplishment, and I wish them the best for seasons to come. Honoring the Life and Work of P. Buckley Moss
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Mr. CLINE. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor the life and work of the late Patricia Buckley Moss.
Widely known as P. Buckley Moss, or Pat, she was born and raised in New York where she received fine arts and graphic design degrees. She later moved to Waynesboro, Virginia, in 1964 with her husband and children, and it was here that she drew some of the greatest inspirations for her art, from scenic landscapes with flocks of Canadian geese to the campuses of her alma maters and especially the Mennonite and Amish subjects who became synonymous with Pat's art.
Her paintings perfectly captured the nostalgic feelings of home for so many Shenandoah Valley residents. Her ability to portray these familiar sights in a way that resonated with her audiences earned her the nickname ``the people's artist.''
Her talents extended to numerous philanthropic efforts, and she became a role model and champion for children's causes. Many local students will remember her visits to their art classes or her yearly invitations to decorate The Barn's Christmas tree with ornaments of their own design.
Through the donations of her art and the P. Buckley Moss Society, over $2 million have been raised for charities, endowed scholarships, and grants to assist aspiring art students and teachers. Although Pat is no longer with us, her art and generosity will leave a lasting impact on the Sixth Congressional District community.
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