[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 19 (Thursday, February 28, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E238]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO JAMEL BRADLEY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES E. CLYBURN

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 28, 2002

  Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Jamel 
Bradley as he--along with Columbia native Aaron Lucas--prepares to play 
his final home game as #10 for the University of South Carolina 
Gamecocks on Saturday, March 2, 2002 Senior Day.
  Leading college basketball's Southeastern Conference and ranking in 
the top ten nationally in three-point field goals as well as setting 
the three point record at USC would be reasons enough to recognize 
senior Jamel Bradley's accomplishments. What is even more extraordinary 
is the path that brought him to these amazing achievements.
  At 18 months old, Jamel suffered an illness that kept his temperature 
at 106 degrees for three straight days. Although he recovered, 80% of 
his hearing was gone. As a child growing up in West Virginia, Jamel 
never felt he ``belonged in this world.'' The hearing aids in both ears 
were inadequate and only served to stigmatize him. It wasn't until he 
found basketball that he discovered a way to fit in with his peers.
  His success on the court led him to the USC Gamecocks and another 
life-changing event. This time Jamel received programmable, omni-
directional hearing aids that restored 75-80% of his hearing. For the 
first time he could remember, he heard birds chirping and clocks 
ticking.
  Jamel's basketball accomplishments also took him to Rome, Italy last 
summer where he scored 33 points in the Championship Game of the 
Deaflympics, leading the U.S. team to a gold medal. This reinforced 
what Jamel had come to realize--his hearing deficiency would not and 
should not keep him from achieving his goals. That is a message that he 
enjoys sharing with deaf youth while serving as the role model he never 
had growing up.
  Recently the ESPN Sports Network brought his low-key, inspirational 
style to a nationwide audience. Now his story has served to inspire 
children with disabilities across the country. Since Jamel's story 
aired, calls and emails have poured into USC's Basketball office 
attesting to the impact his story has had on others. It had a 
tremendous impact on me.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my colleagues to join me today in honoring 
Jamel Bradley. The contributions he has made both on and off the 
basketball court will leave lasting impressions on all those he has 
touched. He is a remarkable young man. I wish him continued success and 
Godspeed!

                          ____________________