[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 105 (Wednesday, September 8, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1536]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO PETER VANDERKAAY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOE KNOLLENBERG

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, September 7, 2004

  Mr. KNOLLENBERG. Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate Peter 
Vanderkaay, a resident of Oakland Township, Michigan, on his Olympic 
gold medal he won at the XXVIII Olympic Games in Athens, Greece. He has 
made all of us from Oakland County and Michigan proud.
  Peter won his gold medal on the men's 4 200 meter freestyle swimming 
relay team, swimming the third leg of the race. Peter and his 
teammates, Michael Phelps, Ryan Lochte, and Klete Keller, set a new 
American record on their way to beating Australia by 0.13 seconds. It 
is the first time an American Olympic team has won this race since 
1996.
  Peter was a standout in high school swimming for Rochester Adams High 
School where he earned four varsity letters. He is a Michigan State 
champion in the 200 yard freestyle and a two-time Michigan State 
champion in the 500 yard freestyle. He was also selected as the 2002 
Oakland Press Scholar Athlete of the Year.
  Peter will return to the University of Michigan this fall as a junior 
and will continue to swim for the school and Club Wolverine. His 
accomplishments are overwhelming and impressive, especially considering 
it has only taken him two years to reach these achievements. Peter is a 
seven-time NCAA All-American, was the 2004 Co-Big Ten Conference 
Swimmer of the Year, the 2003 Big Ten Conference Freshman of the Year, 
and a six-time Big Ten Champion.
  Being a world-class swimmer takes dedication and resolve. It takes 
sacrifice and long hours of practice. It is not always immediately 
rewarding and there are many challenges before becoming a champion. I 
commend Peter on his determination.
  I also realize raising a swimmer is not easy and that is why Peter's 
parents, Mark and Robin, deserve recognition for their hard work over 
the years. In fact, they have raised four swimmers; Peter's brothers 
Christian, Alex and Dane are accomplished swimmers in their own right.
  Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Peter Vanderkaay on his Olympic success 
and wish him all the best in his future endeavors, both in and out of 
the pool.

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