Floor SpeechNeutral2026-07-23

HONORING THE LATE GREGORY "COACH" BLATCH

Education

Context

On 2026-07-23, Representative Frederica S. Wilson (D-FL-24) delivered a floor speech titled "HONORING THE LATE GREGORY "COACH" BLATCH" in the House.

Full Text

HONORING THE LATE GREGORY "COACH" BLATCH

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 121 (Thursday, July 23, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 121 (Thursday, July 23, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E733] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING THE LATE GREGORY ``COACH'' BLATCH ______ HON. FREDERICA S. WILSON of florida in the house of representatives Thursday, July 23, 2026 Ms. WILSON of Florida. Mr. Speaker, from the 24th District of the great state of Florida, I rise today to honor the late Gregory Blatch, a dedicated, well respected and beloved teacher with Miami-Dade County Public Schools, who was affectionately called ``Coach.'' Coach Blatch was employed with Miami-Dade County Public Schools for 34 years. He spent thirty-three of those years teaching at Ojus Elementary School, where he was an institution. In addition to being an exceptional instructor, Coach Blatch was also a mentor, a motivator and a friend to his students, whom he often referred to as ``my children away from home.'' Coach Blatch participated in and sponsored numerous activities which included student government, the annual Washington D.C. trip, the safety patrol program, Drug Awareness and Resistance Education, and student physical fitness. He was staunch advocate for students' health and safety. Coach Blatch was also heavily involved in the Parent Teacher Association at Ojus Elementary. He donated a great deal of his time orchestrating and participating in fund raisers from carnivals and talent shows to community outreach programs to support the school. Coach Blatch was a graduate of Florida A&M University where he received his Bachelor of Science degree. He received his Master of Science degree from Nova Southeastern University. Coach Blatch was a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. and a thirty-four-year member of the United Teachers of Dade. Please join me in honoring the late Gregory ``Coach'' Blatch for his dedication to education, to our children and to our community. ____________________

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HONORING THE LATE GREGORY "COACH" BLATCH Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 121 (Thursday, July 23, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 121 (Thursday, July 23, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E733] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING THE LATE GREGORY ``COACH'' BLATCH ______ HON. FREDERICA S. WILSON of florida in the house of representatives Thursday, July 23, 2026 Ms. WILSON of Florida. Mr. Speaker, from the 24th District of the great state of Florida, I rise today to honor the late Gregory Blatch, a dedicated, well respected and beloved teacher with Miami-Dade County Public Schools, who was affectionately called ``Coach.'' Coach Blatch was employed with Miami-Dade County Public Schools for 34 years. He spent thirty-three of those years teaching at Ojus Elementary School, where he was an institution. In addition to being an exceptional instructor, Coach Blatch was also a mentor, a motivator and a friend to his students, whom he often referred to as ``my children away from home.'' Coach Blatch participated in and sponsored numerous activities which included student government, the annual Washington D.C. trip, the safety patrol program, Drug Awareness and Resistance Education, and student physical fitness. He was staunch advocate for students' health and safety. Coach Blatch was also heavily involved in the Parent Teacher Association at Ojus Elementary. He donated a great deal of his time orchestrating and participating in fund raisers from carnivals and talent shows to community outreach programs to support the school. Coach Blatch was a graduate of Florida A&M University where he received his Bachelor of Science degree. He received his Master of Science degree from Nova Southeastern University. Coach Blatch was a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. and a thirty-four-year member of the United Teachers of Dade. Please join me in honoring the late Gregory ``Coach'' Blatch for his dedication to education, to our children and to our community. ____________________