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Recognizing Mr. Thomas L. Pelissero for Authoring Bring One Home

Floor Speech

Date: Jan. 21, 2026
Location: Washington, DC

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Mr. BERGMAN. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to recognize Mr. Thomas L. Pelissero for his heartfelt tribute to his hometown of Bessemer, Michigan in his new book: Bring One Home: A Memoir of Boyhood, Basketball, and Hometown Spirit. His memoir serves as a salute to the town of Bessemer and speaks to the character of communities across Michigan's Upper Peninsula when facing profound economic hardship from the decline of iron and copper mining industries throughout the 1960s.

On January 21, 1966, the Bessemer Speedboys basketball team ended a 42-game losing streak, at that time, the longest ever recorded in Upper Peninsula high school basketball history. Even in the face of such an arduous stretch, A.D. Johnston gymnasium remained packed on Friday nights as the people of Bessemer cheered on their beloved high school basketball team. Their loyalty and perseverance serve as a true testament to the never-give-up spirit of this U.P. town. Mr. Pelissero's story reminds us of how hard work, determination, and dedication can shape a community.

Much like the sense of community shown by the people of Bessemer during the days of the Speedboys losing streak, Mr. Pelissero's book was released in front of a standing room only crowd at the Bessemer City Hall, helping raise over $5,000 dollars for the Bessemer Public Library to support literacy in the community. Even 60 years after the Speedboys triumphant victory, the spirit of fellowship is still vibrant throughout Bessemer and communities across the Upper Peninsula.

Since the release of his book on November 1, 2025, Bring One Home has received positive reviews from New York Times Best Sellers authors such as Seth Wickersham, been added to the Library of Congress, and recently won the North American Book Awards Bronze Medal for 2025. Despite such success, it has been the overwhelming support from the people of Bessemer that Mr. Pelissero finds most meaningful.

Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to recognize Mr. Thomas L. Pelissero for authoring Bring One Home, which captures the outstanding character of his hometown of Bessemer, Michigan, its people, its high school team, and their unwavering dedication to one another.

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