[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 114 (Tuesday, July 30, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1404]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      LIVONIA SWIMMER GOOD AS GOLD

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOE KNOLLENBERG

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 30, 1996

  Mr. KNOLLENBERG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a special person 
and true hero--Livonia native and Olympic champion--Sheila Taormina.
  A member of the United States' winning 4 by 200-meter freestyle relay 
team, Taormina is an example of perseverance, dedication, and training. 
At 27, Taormina is somewhat of a veteran in her sport. With teenagers 
winning medals in handfuls, Sheila stands out as the first American 
masters swimmer to win gold.
  Swimming the third leg of the relay, she helped the U.S. team set an 
Olympic and American record.
  Not only did the Clarenceville High School graduate grab Olympic 
gold, she also shared her victory on the pool deck with her teammates 
and President Clinton and his family.
  Swimming at the Clarenceville Swim Club, Sheila and her coach Greg 
Phill worked hard to make the Olympic team.
  Sheila also owes a debt of gratitude to her employers at Northern 
Engraving Corp., in Livonia. After deciding to quit her job at Northern 
Engraving, her bosses Aurel Mailath and Philip Gelatt decided to give 
her a leave of absence, allowing Sheila the flexibility to pursue her 
dream of Olympic glory.
  And now it has paid off with gold.
  Sheila is hero for our community and our country. Her hard work, 
dedication, and Olympic victory is an inspiration not only to everyone 
at the Clarenceville Swim Club, but all swimmers, young and old, 
throughout the United States. I am proud of Sheila. Her great, golden 
effort has made our community smile.

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