- Record: House Floor
- Section type: Recognition
- Chamber: House
- Date: May 21, 2026
- Congress: 119th Congress
- Why this source matters: This section came from the House floor portion of the record.
Mr. Cline of Virginia was recognized to address the House for 5 minutes.)
Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an extraordinary coach, mentor, and pillar of the Roanoke community, Bill Pope, upon his retirement from Northside High School.
in total, Coach Pope has shaped generations of young men both on and off the basketball court. Under his leadership, the Northside Vikings achieved 680 wins, one of the highest totals in Virginia High School League history.
3 State championships, including remarkable recent titles in 2019, 2023, and 2024. These achievements speak not only to his excellence as a coach but to his consistency, discipline, and enduring commitment to his players.
gymnasium in his honor, a testament to the legacy he has built and the lives he has touched.
his leadership, and his unwavering dedication to his community. May his legacy continue to inspire future generations of student-athletes.
Recognizing Clarke County Girls' Basketball Team
Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an extraordinary group of young women from Clarke County, whose teamwork and determination led them to victory in the Virginia High School League Class 2 State championship.
VCU's Siegel Center and earned their second State title in four seasons and the third in program history.
players. Five players earned All-Bull Run District honors; and standout senior Alainah McKavish, the Class 2 Player of the Year, capped her career with over 2,200 points and a powerful performance in the title game. Teammates Anna Taylor, Paige McKavish, Savannah McCaw, Kendall Harman, Haley Foltz, Eryn Demko, Emmerson Kennedy, and Paige Stemberger also rose to the challenge.
earned him the Class 2 Coach of the Year honors from the VHSL and Basketball Coaches Association of Virginia.
- hard work, resilience, and success.
Recognizing John Handley Boys' Basketball Team
Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the John Handley High School boys' basketball team on capturing the program's first State championship.
Zook, along with Assistant Coaches Jason Combs, Trey Brisco, Donald Finley, Taralle Hayden, and Michael Brown, Hanley defeated Hampton in the Virginia High School League Class 4 championship game.
- school's 50th State championship overall.
Player of the Year, with full support from teammates: Isaiah Baxter, Will Braun-Duin, Jaevon Brisco, Kyren Oglesby, Amari Brown, Silas Miller, Joaquin Pearce-Gonzales, Timothy Campbell, Asher Mattison, Aaron DeChristopher, Keon Ulmer, and ZeQuon Williams.
- for making history in Handley's 103-year legacy.
I congratulate the Judges.