[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 12 (Tuesday, February 12, 2002)]
[House]
[Page H269]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO OLYMPIAN DEREK PARRA

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Culberson). Under a previous order of 
the House, the gentleman from California (Mr. Baca) is recognized for 5 
minutes.
  Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to one of the 
America's new Olympic heroes. Like all Americans, I have been watching 
all of our athletes competing in the 2002 Games with great pride. We 
love the Olympics. We love international spirit and the thrill of 
competition, the joy of victory and the stories of struggle. The 
athletes capture our imagination and our hearts.
  I have been watching one athlete with particular pride, speed skater 
Derek Parra, winner of the silver medal in the 5,000-meter event.
  You see, Derek Parra is from my district. He went to school with my 
son, Joe Baca, Jr., in Rialto, and I attend church with Derek's father, 
Gilbert Parra, at St. Catherine's in Rialto, California.
  Derek's family and friends gathered on Saturday at Graziano's Pizza 
Restaurant in Colton to watch the San Bernardino native break the world 
record in the 5,000-meter speed skating race with a time of 6 minutes, 
17.98 seconds, beating his own best time by 15 seconds.
  Derek's silver medal win surprised the world. At 5 feet, 3\1/2\ 
inches, Derek is a small man in a tall man's sport. He is known by his 
Nordic competitors as ``The Little Man with the Big Strokes.''
  Derek's record-breaking performance and silver medal were a bit of a 
surprise to even the people who know him best, because the 5,000-meter 
is not his best race. Friends and family eagerly await his best event, 
which is the 1,500-meter race on February 19.
  Derek grew up in the west side of San Bernardino with his brother and 
single father. He attended Roosevelt Elementary School and Eisenhower 
High School. He first learned to skate at the Stardust Roller Rink in 
Highland, where he became an avid in-line skater.
  As a Mexican American youth growing up in southern California, Derek 
did not set foot on ice until he was 17 years of age. Derek would be 26 
years old before he would switch from in-line skating to ice skating in 
1996 in order to shoot for the Olympic gold.
  Derek's road to the Olympics have not been easy. He and his wife 
Tiffany have struggled to make ends meet while raising a little girl, 
Mia Elizabeth, while Derek trained for the Olympics. Unlike most 
skaters who train full time, Derek worked part time at a Home Depot to 
help support his family. Derek has doggedly pursued his dream against 
all odds. When people said he could not do it, he indicated he could do 
it, and he did do it.
  We do not have too many Winter Olympians from San Bernardino. The 
beauty of the Olympic Games is the opportunity they allow all of us to 
experience the glory and triumph through our athletes. We feel a 
connection with them and all the individuals that participated.
  The residents of San Bernardino watched their native son with pride 
as he broke the world record in the 5,000-meter skate to win the silver 
medal. As the first Mexican American to ever appear in the Winter 
Olympics, let alone win a medal, Derek has expanded the dreams of 
millions of Hispanic boys and girls throughout the United States and 
the world, giving them hope that you have an opportunity to compete in 
an area where many other individuals do not compete.
  Derek Parra is an American hero. One of eight Olympians chosen by 
fellow teammates to carry the American flag into the opening 
ceremonies, Derek accepted the honor even though his first race was the 
next day. While most athletes spend the night before a race resting, 
Derek jeopardized his medal chances to carry Old Glory.
  With two events left in the Games, Derek Parra has already made 
history and opened the world of possibility for Hispanic Americans. I 
will be rooting for Derek as he competes in the 1,500- and 10,000-meter 
races. Bring home the gold medal, Derek. San Bernardino and Rialto are 
behind you. We all pray for you. Our prayers are with you. We wish you 
the best. We know you will do the best. You have made us proud.

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