Thomas Daschle: “Today I want to commend the hard work, competitive spirit, and teamwork recently exhibited by thousands of young people…”

“Today I want to commend the hard work, competitive spirit, and teamwork recently exhibited by thousands of young people across South Dakota during the State High School Boys' Basketball Tournament. Each year during late February and early March, towns from across the State come together in support of their high school basketball teams in district, regional, and State tournaments. This exciting period culminated last week with three teams from across South Dakota winning State championships in their respective divisions. There is a tremendous amount of pride that each community in South Dakota feels for its high school sports teams. Having grown up in one of those communities, I know that each time a high school team is successful, its community glows with the same accomplishment. Communities like these are still proud of their young people's abilities, their hard work, and their determination to work together and achieve a common goal, both on and off the court. Today, I would like to congratulate all of the teams who participated in this year's tournaments. In particular, I would like to commend the high schools of Warner, Douglas, and Mitchell for having earned their respective State boys' basketball championship titles in 1996.”