Mr. COOPER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate an extraordinary group of young women from Wilson Central High School in Lebanon, Tennessee - the 2005-2006 Class AAA Girl's Basketball State Champions.

Of the 5 years Wilson Central High School has been in existence, the Lady Wildcats have been to three State championship tournaments. On March 11, 2006, they brought home the State title after defeating Shelbyville Central High School 44-38. The State championship is the school's first State title in any sport. The team finished a remarkable season with a 32-7 overall record. I am extremely proud of these outstanding young athletes for this great accomplishment.

These student-athletes should be honored not only for the feat of winning the Tennessee State Girl's Basketball Championship, but they should also be recognized for excelling in the classroom and maintaining a team grade point average of 3.61. This is certainly no easy task and I am proud of the way they have represented their school and hometown both on and off the basketball court.

On behalf of the Fifth Congressional District of Tennessee, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the following members of the Wilson Central High School girl's basketball team: freshmen Kelsey McGee, Lauren Wasson, Jasmine Hassell, sophomores Heather Simonis, Kristyn Clark, Sydney Ketcher, Rebecca Stewart, Cameryn Calhoun, Shelley Stewart and Rachel Stewart, juniors Tierney Jenkins, Lauren Farmer, Sara Williams and especially to the graduating seniors Elizabeth Martin, Breonna Brown, and Jenny Hall. I commend Nikki Eversole, Brittany Farmer, Courtney Chapman, Kayla White, Melanie Jones and Audriana Saddler for their hard work and contributions to the team.

I also salute their coaches - Head Coach Bud Brandon, his father and Assistant Coach Campbell Brandon, and Assistant Coaches Jay Holladay and Scott Moore for their commitment, expertise and leadership. Campbell Brandon coached the Lebanon High School Blue Devilettes to their State championship victory 35 years ago, in 1971. Today, he shares his son's pride for another team of amazing young women - the 2006 Wilson Central Lady Wildcats.

I applaud the tremendous achievements of these exceptional young players and wish them well in their endeavors on the basketball court and beyond.

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Jim Cooper
Member of Congress