[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 132 (Thursday, October 19, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1874]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING OLYMPIC SILVER MEDALIST

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RALPH M. HALL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 19, 2000

  Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, my colleague, Mr. Sam Johnson of 
Texas, and I have the privilege today to pay tribute to Paul Foerster 
of Rockwall, Texas, who won the silver medal in the Men's 470 sailing 
event at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia.
  Paul was the skipper of the United States' entry in the Men's 470 
sailing event. His teammate on the two-man vessel was Bob Merrick of 
Rhode Island. Paul and Bob finished first in four of the eleven races, 
more than any competitor. Australia won the gold with a better 
aggregate score.
  Paul previously competed in the 1988 and 1992 Olympic Games in the 
Flying Dutchman sailing class, winning the silver medal in Barcelona, 
Spain in 1992. He has sailed in more than 500 yachting competitions in 
the last decade. He learned to sail as a young man growing up in Corpus 
Christi, Texas and was a three-time All American sailer at the 
University of Texas, where he earned a degree in aerospace engineering.
  Paul works at the Raytheon Company's Garland facility in the Third 
Congressional District, where his co-workers hosted a recognition 
ceremony for him this week. He is a new resident of Rockwall in the 
Fourth Congressional District. Mr. Speaker, we join his co-workers, 
family and friends in commending him for his dedication, determination, 
and commitment to excellence. Paul brings honor both to himself--and to 
the United States of America. As we adjourn today, let us do so in 
recognition of the superior achievement of Paul Foerster in the 2000 
Olympics.

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