[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 147 (Monday, December 4, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2111-E2112]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    CONGRATULATING JENNIFER BARRETT

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, December 4, 2000

  Mr. FARR of California. Mr. Speaker, I wish today in great admiration 
to extend my congratulations and to recognize one of my constituents 
for her accomplishments at the XIth Paralympaid in Sydney, Australia. 
Jennifer Barrett of Gonzales, California was selected to represent the 
United States at the games which took place October 18-29 of this year. 
The Paralympaid is a multi-disability sports competition at the most 
elite level of competition. Ms. Barrett not only qualified for the U.S.

[[Page E2112]]

team, but came away with a silver and a bronze medal in the women's 
discus and shot put, respectively. Jennifer's distance in the shot put 
was a personal best at 9.97 meters.
  Miss Barrett has won every major field competition available to 
amputees, and holds the prestigious world record for discus and the 
U.S. national record for shot put. Her athletic prowess has been 
notable since her win at the 1996 Atlanta Paralympic Games. It was at 
that game when Jennifer set the then-world record, and won a bronze in 
the shot put resulting in the current U.S. record. She continued with 
determination and skill, and in 1998 at the IPC World Championship won 
gold medals in both discus and shot put.
  While earning her Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies at the Sonoma 
State University, Jennifer competed in throwing events with able-bodied 
athletes on the track and field team. She also holds an A.A. in general 
studies from Hartnell Junior College. Not only has Ms. Barrett excelled 
on the athletic field, but she is a published poet.
  Jennifer's plans for the future are as commendable as her 
accomplishments in track and field. She plans to teach third grade with 
an emphasis on disability awareness in the classroom. In addition to 
her educational career goals, she also plans on working in prosthetics, 
coaching field events and ``becoming a reading specialist.'' I believe 
her goals for the future will inspire young people the way she has been 
an inspiration to Gonzales and the Central Coast of California.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in commemorating Jennifer 
Barrett for her outstanding achievements in the United States Olympic 
community. May she continue to excel.

                          ____________________