[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 186 (Monday, November 20, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2226]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  JIM PRESBREY'S BLADE ACROSS AMERICA

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                      HON. ROBERT L. EHRLICH, JR.

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, November 20, 1995

  Mr. EHRLICH. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to commend a man who has made 
a long and hard journey across the country to give disadvantaged 
children an opportunity to participate in sports. Jim Presbrey--whose 
family has long ties to my district--spent the past several months in-
line skating across the country to raise money for the National Youth 
Sports Program, an organization which provides economically under-
privileged children with sports training, free medical care, and proper 
nutrition education.
  Jim decided to blade across America while working as a National Youth 
Sports Program summer camp counselor and drug and alcohol educator. As 
a counselor, Jim instilled in his campers the importance of achieving 
goals, striving for your dreams, and believing in yourself. At the same 
time, Jim, recovering from major knee surgery, began riding his 
stationary bike for 10 minutes a day, slowly increasing his workout 
throughout the summer. He told his campers that his ultimate goal was 
to skate across America. Each day, he informed his campers of his 
continuing progress. At the end of the summer, Jim knew he had to blade 
across America to show his campers the importance of achieving their 
aspirations.
  On September 9, 1995, Jim began his long journey across the country, 
hoping to raise awareness and increase funding for the kids he worked 
with during the summer. After raising thousands of dollars for the 
National Youth Sports Program, Jim's blade across the Nation will come 
to an end in San Diego, CA, on November 27, 1995. He will be the first 
person to in-line skate across the United States.
  I urge all my colleagues to join with me and the citizens of Maryland 
in commending Jim Presbrey in his achievement. The example set by and 
money raised by his physical endurance and dedication will give 
thousands of disadvantaged children across the Nation the opportunity 
to participate in sports.

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