Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 30th anniversary of the Pennsylvania State University crew team. This past Saturday, the team celebrated 30 years of commitment to the sport of rowing, the Penn State community, and continued excellence in the classroom. Chartered in December 1994 by Coaches Colin Upson and Mike Dugan, the Penn State crew team began with 28 members and a concerning absence of rowing equipment. Due to its lack of equipment and support, the team mainly trained on land, completing dry-land practices with the hope of a serious program guiding their efforts and passion. The program's first full year, starting in the fall of 1995, consisted of fundraising efforts to purchase equipment. From selling concessions at home football games and cleaning Beaver Stadium, an eight-person used wooden boat was purchased. In April of 1996, the team attended their first competition in Indianapolis where they joined the remainder of the Big Ten rowing teams at their conference championship. Throughout the following seasons, from 1996 to 1998, the team's membership increased to over 100 male and female members. Most of this group consisted of novice rowers with little experience in a boat or on the water. Expanded membership meant increased fundraising demands to keep up with the equipment needs. The large team numbers enabled the program to move into a bigger concession stand at Beaver Stadium, selling more clothing and food at all seven home games that season.…”