[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 105 (Wednesday, September 8, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1533]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING MICHAEL PHELPS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENJAMIN L. CARDIN

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, September 7, 2004

  Mr. CARDIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Michael Phelps 
for his performance representing the United States in Athens at the 
Games of the XXVIIIth Olympiad.
  Michael Phelps, who was born in Baltimore and now lives in Towson, is 
a lifelong resident of Maryland's Third Congressional District.
  So, we Marylanders have been following Michael's career long before 
these Olympic games. At age seven, he joined the North Baltimore 
aquatic club, and at age sixteen, he won his first world title at the 
2001 world championships in Japan. This was only the beginning of many 
recordsetting victories.
  This August, joined by the rest of the world, we watched with 
extraordinary pride as Michael earned eight medals.
  Through seventeen races in eight days, Michael did much more than 
beat his competitors--he exemplified true sportsmanship.
  After winning his fourth individual gold medal, Michael stunned the 
athletic world by giving up his spot in the men's 400 meter medley 
relay on July to team mate Ian Crocker. The relay team won a gold 
medal, setting a world record. Michael's words say it best, and show 
why for him ``world-class champion'' is an understatement.
  When asked about his decision, Phelps responded, ``Ian is one of the 
best relay swimmers in U.S. history . . . when we want to put the four 
fastest guys up there, we look at everything, all the past swims, and 
we make the best decision . . . we came into this meet as a team and 
we're going to leave as a team.''
  Those words demonstrate why Michael Phelps is recognized as an 
outstanding role model, not just for athletes, but for all of us, no 
matter what our life's work.
  As Michael leaves our state this fall to pursue his studies at the 
University of Michigan, we offer him our hearty congratulations and 
best wishes for the future.
  I urge all of my colleagues to join me today in thanking Michael 
Phelps for representing our country with such honor and grace.

                          ____________________