[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 67 (Thursday, May 25, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E874-E875]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  A TRIBUTE TO CALVIN BROCK, MEMBER OF THE SUMMER 2000 UNITED STATES 
             OLYMPIC BOXING TEAM SUPER HEAVYWEIGHT CATEGORY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EVA M. CLAYTON

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 25, 2000

  Mrs. CLAYTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to one of 
America's finest, twenty-five year old Calvin Brock, member of the 
Summer 2000 United States Olympic Boxing Team. Over the years, Mr. 
Speaker, Calvin has shown remarkable progress in his determination to 
get to the point for which he will be honored by local officials, 
family and friends on Sunday, May 28, 2000 at Clem's Grand Ballroom in 
Weldon, North Carolina.
  Mr. Speaker, Calvin began his boxing career at age 12. He was 
defeated his first six matches and as a result, was told by many that 
he should choose another sport because it was unlikely that he would 
excel in boxing. Mr. Speaker, this kind of story, which in no way is a 
fairy tale, but is true to life, tells us a lot about Calvin's 
dedication, determination and commitment.
  There has been a lot of talk in my office about Calvin Brock, Mr. 
Speaker, but what impresses me most is what is said about his 
relationship with God. The combination of Calvin's faith in God and his 
persistence will go the length in ensuring his return from Sidney 
Australia with an Olympic Gold Medal.
  Mr. Speaker, Calvin has certainly invested a tremendous amount of 
time and has made many sacrifices over the years preparing himself for 
the Olympics. Among the major tournaments, Calvin has won are the: 1993 
National Junior Championships while ages 16 through 18; National Police 
Athletic League Championships in 1993,1996, and 1998; Eastern Trials 
that qualified him to compete in the 1996 Olympic Trails for the 1996 
Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia, however, at that time, Calvin was 
defeated in the Semi-finals of the 1996 Trials; 1998 National Golden 
Gloves Champion at heavyweight division 201 pounds; Silver Medalist in 
1997 at Heavyweight Division; ranked number two in 1998 at the National 
U.S. Championship; 1999 National U.S. Champion at super heavyweight 
division, 201 plus category where he ranked number one in the country; 
1999 U.S. Challenge Champion at super heavyweight which qualified 
Calvin for the 2000 Olympic Trials, a tournament in which only eight 
boxers in each of the 12 weight classes qualify to compete; 2000 U.S. 
Olympic Trials Champion at super heavyweight where Calvin won 3 
consecutive matches to become champion; the Olympic Trials win 
qualified Calvin for the Olympic Box-offs; 2000 U.S. Olympic Box-off 
Champion; this box-off win qualified Calvin to participate on the 2000 
U.S. Olympic Boxing Team. This championship was televised on NBC. 
Calvin is

[[Page E875]]

the 2000 American Qualifier Champion. His success at this tournament 
qualified him to compete in the Summer Olympic Games in Sidney, 
Australia. Although Calvin made the Olympic Team, he still had to win 
the American Qualifier Tournament to go to the Olympics. The American 
Qualifier Tournament consisted of all the countries in North, South, 
and Central America. Calvin defeated opponents from Brazil, Puerto Rico 
and Canada Olympians to win the American Qualifier. Calvin is 
undefeated in international competition with an international record of 
10 wins and 0 losses. These 10 were against: England, Algeria, Mexico, 
Russia, New Zealand, Argentina, Puerto Rico, Brazil, and Canada. Calvin 
has competed in 183 amateur boxing matches. His record is 147 wins and 
36 losses.
  Mr. Speaker, Calvin is a 1993 graduate of West Charlotte High School 
and 1999 graduate of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte 
where he has been awarded a Degree in Finance. Calvin is presently 
employed with the Bank of America in Charlotte, North Carolina as a 
Call Analyst in the Operations Department.
  Mr. Speaker, I have had the occasion to meet Calvin and his 
delightful parents. It is understandable that they are quite proud. 
Although Calvin grew up and attended Undergraduate School in Charlotte, 
North Carolina, he has substantial roots in my Congressional District 
through his mother, Alean Brock who was born in a very small town in my 
Congressional District called Weldon, and his grandparents, Rebecca and 
Clinton Anderton who have lived there all of their lives. Calvin's 
mother and his father, Calvance Brock met during the time that they 
attended Elizabeth City State University.
  Mr. Speaker, I am sure that my Colleague, Congressman Melvin Watt is 
just as proud as I am about Calvin's participation in the 2000 U.S. 
Summer Olympics. One reason is because Congressman Watt's better half, 
Eulada provided encouragement and guidance to Calvin during the time 
that he attended Devonshire Elementary School where she was the 
principal.
  Mr. Speaker, I am absolutely delighted for the opportunity to share 
with my Colleagues the incredible and tremendous achievements of North 
Carolina's own Olympian Calvin Brock. I wish Calvin the very best at 
the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sidney Australia and have every confidence 
that he will return to the United States with an Olympic Gold Medal.

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