Floor SpeechBipartisan2026-02-09

CELEBRATING MAGNOLIA JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL'S SEVENTH GRADE BOYS' BASKETBALL TEAM

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Context

On 2026-02-09, Representative Morgan Luttrell (R-TX-8) delivered a floor speech titled "CELEBRATING MAGNOLIA JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL'S SEVENTH GRADE BOYS' BASKETBALL TEAM" in the House. The speech addressed taxes and also covered the environment, foreign policy.

Full Text

CELEBRATING MAGNOLIA JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL'S SEVENTH GRADE BOYS' BASKETBALL TEAM

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 27 (Monday, February 9, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 27 (Monday, February 9, 2026)] [House] [Pages H2045-H2046] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] CELEBRATING MAGNOLIA JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL'S SEVENTH GRADE BOYS' BASKETBALL TEAM (Mr. Luttrell of Texas was recognized to address the House for 5 minutes.) Mr. LUTTRELL. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize a group of young Americans whose achievement reflects the very best of our communities, our schools, and our future. For the first time in history, the Magnolia Junior High seventh grade boys' basketball team completed a season as undefeated district champions, finishing with a perfect 10-0 record. Ten games, ten victories, zero losses. That accomplishment alone is remarkable. However, what makes this team truly special is not just that they won, it is how they won. Game after game, these young men represented Magnolia Junior High with discipline, respect, teamwork, and integrity. They showed us what it means to compete with character. This team averaged 61 points per game while holding opponents just to 40. That is excellence on both ends of the court--offense and defense. Perhaps, though, even more impressive, not one player fouled out all season. Not a single technical foul was issued. That tells us something important. It tells us these students played with maturity beyond their years. They respected the officials. They respected their opponents. They respected the game. That is leadership. That is discipline. That is sportsmanship. Those are the values we want to see in every classroom, every community, and every generation. Every championship team has leaders. This season, Mason Houston helped set the tone, averaging an outstanding 36.5 points per game. His dedication, effort, and competitive spirit lifted the entire team. However, championships are never won by one player. They are built by teammates who trust one another, who sacrifice for one another, who hold each other accountable, and who work together toward a shared goal. That is exactly what this team did. Today, we recognize the young men who made history: Beckett Albe, Daniel Alonso, Jayse Baker, Caleb Gooch, Donnell Hartley, Mason Houston, Brodie Kehoe, Tucker Kowalski, Carter Shephard, Evan Shepherd, and Griffin Spires. These students remind us that excellence is built on one practice, one game, and one decision at a time. This success would not have been possible without outstanding leadership. I recognize seventh grade coaches Taylor Sowders, Tim Stewart, and Joseph Waddle, along with Head Coach Christopher May, Assistant Coach Jim Barber, Campus Athletic Coordinator Brian Venghaus, Principal David Slater, and District Athletic Director J.D. Berna. These educators and mentors do far more than coach basketball. They teach responsibility. They teach perseverance. They teach young people how to lead. They are helping shape citizens, leaders, and future public servants. Years from now, people may remember the undefeated record of these players. They may remember the scoring averages. They may remember the championship, but what matters most is what these players learned along the way. They learned discipline. They learned teamwork. They learned accountability. They learned how to believe in themselves and each other. Those lessons will serve these players long after the final buzzer sounds. They [[Page H2046]] will serve them in their academics. They will serve them in college. They will serve them in their careers, and they will serve them in life. Mr. Speaker, at a time when our Nation is focused on preparing the next generation for leadership, service, and success, this team stands as a powerful example of what happens when students are supported, challenged, and inspired. They didn't just win games. They represented their school, their families, and their community with honor. They made history, and they made Magnolia proud. Congratulations to the Magnolia Junior High seventh grade boys' basketball team, the 2025-2026 undefeated district champions. May their example continue to inspire us all. ____________________

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CELEBRATING MAGNOLIA JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL'S SEVENTH GRADE BOYS' BASKETBALL TEAM Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 27 (Monday, February 9, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 27 (Monday, February 9, 2026)] [House] [Pages H2045-H2046] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] CELEBRATING MAGNOLIA JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL'S SEVENTH GRADE BOYS' BASKETBALL TEAM (Mr. Luttrell of Texas was recognized to address the House for 5 minutes.) Mr. LUTTRELL. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize a group of young Americans whose achievement reflects the very best of our communities, our schools, and our future. For the first time in history, the Magnolia Junior High seventh grade boys' basketball team completed a season as undefeated district champions, finishing with a perfect 10-0 record. Ten games, ten victories, zero losses. That accomplishment alone is remarkable. However, what makes this team truly special is not just that they won, it is how they won. Game after game, these young men represented Magnolia Junior High with discipline, respect, teamwork, and integrity. They showed us what it means to compete with character. This team averaged 61 points per game while holding opponents just to 40. That is excellence on both ends of the court--offense and defense. Perhaps, though, even more impressive, not one player fouled out all season. Not a single technical foul was issued. That tells us something important. It tells us these students played with maturity beyond their years. They respected the officials. They respected their opponents. They respected the game. That is leadership. That is discipline. That is sportsmanship. Those are the values we want to see in every classroom, every community, and every generation. Every championship team has leaders. This season, Mason Houston helped set the tone, averaging an outstanding 36.5 points per game. His dedication, effort, and competitive spirit lifted the entire team. However, championships are never won by one player. They are built by teammates who trust one another, who sacrifice for one another, who hold each other accountable, and who work together toward a shared goal. That is exactly what this team did. Today, we recognize the young men who made history: Beckett Albe, Daniel Alonso, Jayse Baker, Caleb Gooch, Donnell Hartley, Mason Houston, Brodie Kehoe, Tucker Kowalski, Carter Shephard, Evan Shepherd, and Griffin Spires. These students remind us that excellence is built on one practice, one game, and one decision at a time. This success would not have been possible without outstanding leadership. I recognize seventh grade coaches Taylor Sowders, Tim Stewart, and Joseph Waddle, along with Head Coach Christopher May, Assistant Coach Jim Barber, Campus Athletic Coordinator Brian Venghaus, Principal David Slater, and District Athletic Director J.D. Berna. These educators and mentors do far more than coach basketball. They teach responsibility. They teach perseverance. They teach young people how to lead. They are helping shape citizens, leaders, and future public servants. Years from now, people may remember the undefeated record of these players. They may remember the scoring averages. They may remember the championship, but what matters most is what these players learned along the way. They learned discipline. They learned teamwork. They learned accountability. They learned how to believe in themselves and each other. Those lessons will serve these players long after the final buzzer sounds. They [[Page H2046]] will serve them in their academics. They will serve them in college. They will serve them in their careers, and they will serve them in life. Mr. Speaker, at a time when our Nation is focused on preparing the next generation for leadership, service, and success, this team stands as a powerful example of what happens when students are supported, challenged, and inspired. They didn't just win games. They represented their school, their families, and their community with honor. They made history, and they made Magnolia proud. Congratulations to the Magnolia Junior High seventh grade boys' basketball team, the 2025-2026 undefeated district champions. May their example continue to inspire us all. ____________________