[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 121 (Monday, September 14, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1711]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO NILES DELFOSSE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAY W. JOHNSON

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 14, 1998

  Mr. JOHNSON of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to 
a great teacher, Niles Delfosse of Green Bay, Wisconsin.
  I call Niles a teacher for the lessons he gives all of us about the 
strength of the human spirit. He is a U.S. Army combat veteran of the 
Vietnam War, and he knows a great deal about courage and sacrifice.
  But on December 31, 1996, a drunk driver left Niles Delfosse a 
quadriplegic, the victim of a hit-and-run car accident. Niles spent 
over six months in the hospital recovering from the accident, and is 
now confined to a wheelchair with very limited use of his arms and 
legs.
  Such a tragic event would undoubtedly shake any person's faith. Yet, 
Niles' friends tell me that he maintains a positive attitude that 
inspires everyone around him, every day.
  And he leads by example. I am proud to report to you today that this 
past summer, Niles participated in the 18th National Veterans 
Wheelchair Games in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This field of more than 
600 athletes from 40 states, Puerto Rico and Great Britain is the 
largest annual wheelchair sports event in the United States, and is 
sponsored by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the Paralyzed 
Veterans of America.
  Niles did not just compete in these games. He excelled. When the 
events were over, Niles took home a gold medal in the shot, and gold 
medal in the javelin, a gold medal in the discus, a gold medal in 
bowling, and a silver medal in the air guns. Five events, and he earned 
four gold medals and a silver. That is an amazing accomplishment. But 
it would be a great accomplishment, even if Niles did not take home a 
single medal. It is the competition and the will to succeed that marks 
Niles character, and his character is his true achievement.
  Mr. Speaker, I know my colleagues join me to day is congratulating 
Niles Delfosse for his success and for the inspiration he gives us all, 
and we congratulate all of the participants in the National Veterans 
Wheelchair Games. Thank you, Niles.

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