January 13, 2009 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E75 

been recognized for his efforts to this end. 

Some of the numerous awards bestowed upon 

him include the University of Florida Faculty 

Superior Accomplishment Award and the 

CALS Teacher of the Year. He has also been 

recognized by Who’s Who in America, Who’s 

Who in American Education, Who’s Who 

Among American Teachers, and has received 

an honorary membership in Alpha Gamma 

Rho, of which I am a proud member. 

Madam Speaker, there is no doubt in my 

mind that Dr. Cheek’s legacy will be remembered for generations to come, not just by students at the University of Florida but also 

throughout the Nation where his work has 

been recognized. He dedicated his career to 

educating students not just about agriculture, 

but also character, and he will be fondly remembered by all who know him. Jimmy Cheek 

will be missed in the classrooms in Gainesville 

and around the State, but he leaves behind an 

institution that will continue to flourish because 

of his hard work. He and his family are in my 

thoughts as they move into the next chapter of 

his life. 

f 

HONORING NORTHERN STATE 

UNIVERSITY COACH DON MEYER 

HON. STEPHANIE HERSETH SANDLIN OF SOUTH DAKOTA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Tuesday, January 13, 2009 

Ms. HERSETH SANDLIN. Madam Speaker, 

recently, Don Meyer, head men’s basketball 

coach at Northern State University in Aberdeen, from my State of South Dakota, 

coached his 903rd career victory. This accomplishment sets the national record for wins by 

a men’s collegiate basketball coach. 

Mr. Meyer started his coaching career in 

1972 at Hamline University in Minnesota, turning an unsuccessful program into a championship contender. Moving to Lipscomb University 

in Tennessee, Mr. Meyer created a national 

powerhouse during his 24 years there—winning an NAIA national title in 1986 and averaging more than 32 wins per season over his 

final 10 years at the school. 

Coming to Northern State in 1999, Mr. 

Meyer built another highly-successful program. 

His teams have won over 20 games each of 

the past 7 seasons, and reached the 

postseason 4 of the past 5 years. 

Over this long career, Mr. Meyer has become nationally known as a teacher of both 

young men and other coaches. Thousands of 

coaches from all over the Nation have honed 

their craft at the Don Meyer Coaches Academy. His instructional books and DVDs have 

been used by college programs such as Duke 

and NBA teams such as the Utah Jazz. Of Mr. 

Meyer, Pat Summitt, the legendary University 

of Tennessee women’s basketball coach, recently told Sports Illustrated, ‘‘(Meyer) is one 

of the most respected clinicians in the country. 

You can’t sit there and not learn and be inspired.’’ 

Another inspiration that Mr. Meyer provides 

stems from the journey he finds himself on 

today. On September 5, 2008, while leading 

his team to a preseason retreat, Mr. Meyer 

was involved in a life-threatening auto accident. At the accident site, his players’ quick 

thinking and poise saved Mr. Meyer’s life. 

Team captain Kyle Schwan told Sports Illustrated about the accident, ‘‘It’s a testament to 

Coach. In essence, he saved his own life because of the way he taught us.’’ 

His recovery has included eight surgeries, 

the amputation of part of his left leg, and intense pain. Adding to the medical challenge 

was the discovery of liver and intestine cancer 

during his emergency surgeries. But through it 

all, Mr. Meyer has maintained his drive and 

character, coaching games from the sidelines 

in a wheelchair. This season, he again has 

Northern State in championship contention, 

and remains a sought-after motivational 

speaker on basketball, coaching, and life itself. 

Madam Speaker, it is with enduring pride 

and respect that I rise today in recognition of 

Don Meyer and his record-breaking achievement. This achievement is not only measured 

in the many victories achieved, but in the lives 

touched. Don Meyer has proven himself worthy to be counted among the best coaches our 

Nation has produced. 

f 

HONORING THE MEMORY OF 

LANCE CORPORAL JESSIE 

CASSADA OF HENDERSONVILLE, 

NORTH CAROLINA 

HON. HEATH SHULER 

OF NORTH CAROLINA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Tuesday, January 13, 2009 

Mr. SHULER. Madam Speaker, I rise today 

with a heavy heart to honor the memory of 

LCpl Jessie Adam Cassada of Hendersonville, 

NC. Cassada, only 19 years of age, was killed 

in combat during Operation Enduring Freedom 

in Afghanistan on the sixth of January, 2009. 

Lance Corporal Cassada gave the ultimate 

sacrifice to protect our country. He demonstrated patriotism and true courage beyond 

his years. 

Since childhood, Jessie Cassada wanted to 

follow the example set by his stepfather and 

stepbrother to become a Marine. He joined the 

United States Marine Corps after graduating 

from East Henderson High School in 2007. He 

was deployed to Afghanistan from Camp 

Lejune for a 6- to 7-month tour of duty in November 2008 with the 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division. Official 

accounts said he was supporting combat operations in the Helmand province prior to his 

death. 

Cassada’s awards include the Global War 

on Terrorism Service Medal, the Afghanistan 

Campaign Medal and the National Defense 

Service Medal. 

He leaves behind his mother, Patricia 

Cassada, and stepfather, Carroll London, as 

well as two sisters. I offer my sincere condolences to them and the rest of his family and 

friends. They are in my thoughts and prayers. 

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join 

me in expressing remorse at to the passing of 

LCpl Jessie Cassada, as well as never-ending 

gratitude for the servicemen and women who 

sacrifice so much to protect our Nation and 

ensure our freedom. The short life of LCpl 

Jessie Cassada serves as an inspiration for us 

all of true patriotism, dedication and courage. 

HONORING MARY ANN RIOJAS 

HON. JIM COSTA OF CALIFORNIA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Tuesday, January 13, 2009 

Mr. COSTA. Madam Speaker, I rise today 

along with my colleague from California Mr. 

NUNES to commend and congratulate Mary 

Ann Riojas upon being honored by ABC’s reality show ‘‘Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.’’ Ms. Riojas and family were surprised by 

Ty Pennington and crew on January 8, 2009 

at their home in central Fresno located on 

East Robinson, Fresno, CA, at the heart of the 

Central Valley. 

Ms. Riojas was born without legs and only 

one fully developed arm. As a child, Mary Ann 

was placed in foster care and grew up in an 

unstable household and poverty. Even though 

Mary Ann was no stranger to adversity her 

challenges continued after expanding her family with four children. In financial distress she 

turned to public assistance to keep her family 

afloat. 

Regardless of Mary Ann’s disabilities and financial struggles she continued to live life to 

the fullest. Her vibrant determination led her to 

become the first in her family to earn a college 

degree when she graduated in 2002 from San 

Joaquin Valley College with an associate degree in Business Administration. She also obtained a drivers license in 2002 which gave 

her the ability to drive a special hand-controlled vehicle. 

Determined to excel, Mary Ann not only became an employee of Easter Seals but also 

served as a State and national Ambassador. 

She has traveled all over the country with the 

Easter Seals program, spreading her joy and 

enthusiasm for life. Mary Ann eventually 

switched jobs and decided to help others in 

her community and that is when she began 

working for the Fresno Housing Authority as a 

counselor to other families who are struggling 

with life’s adversities. 

Mary Ann does not see herself as a person 

with disabilities. Mary Ann is a strong woman 

who has raise four children Nichole 18, Victoria 17, Angel 15, and Jessie 14, and she 

continues to inspire others on a daily basis. 

The Extreme Makeover: Home Edition will forever change her life and make her home a 

better and more user friendly place for her to 

enjoy with her children. 

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend 

and congratulate Mary Ann Riojas. I invite my 

colleagues to join me in wishing Ms. Riojas 

and her family many years of continued success. 

f 

PERSONAL EXPLANATION 

HON. HENRY E. BROWN, JR. OF SOUTH CAROLINA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Tuesday, January 13, 2009 

Mr. BROWN of South Carolina. Madam 

Speaker, I am writing to notify that I was absent for votes on January 9, 2009. Had I been 

present, I would have voted: 

Rollcall Vote No. 7: On Motion to Recommit 

with Instructions the Paycheck Fairness Act— 

‘‘yea.’’ 

Rollcall Vote No. 8: On Passage of the Paycheck Fairness Act—‘‘nay.’’ 


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