[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 105 (Wednesday, September 8, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Pages S8956-S8957]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 CONGRATULATIONS TO MICHIGAN OLYMPIANS

  Mr. LEVIN. Madam President, I take this opportunity to congratulate 
all of the athletes who competed in the 2004 Summer Olympic Games in 
Athens, Greece. The Olympic Games celebrate years of training, struggle 
and perseverance in overcoming obstacles and striving to become the 
best. It was wonderful to see so many athletes from across the globe 
come together in peaceful competition.
  Greece did a tremendous job of hosting the Games. The scenery was 
breathtaking, and the venues were spectacular. These Games were 
especially notable because of the return of the Olympics to its 
birthplace in Greece. The historic legacy of Greece was particularly 
noteworthy for the marathon competitors who began their journey in the 
ancient city of Marathon, the original location of the event, and for 
the shot-put competitors who competed in the original Olympic stadium 
in Olympia.
  Over a 16-day span, the Olympic spirit was embodied by the athletic 
prowess and grace displayed by the best athletes our country has to 
offer, including many from Michigan. Michigan continued our long 
tradition of contributing world-class athletes to both the Summer and 
Winter Olympic Games with athletes competing in 13 different sports in 
this year's Games. It was inspiring to witness their total effort, and 
in many cases, the realization of their dreams. There are legions of 
young athletes who watched these Games and will continue to dream and 
strive to one day represent their country with the same pride, grace 
and determination that was on display at these Games.
  I am particularly proud of the 28 individuals from Michigan who 
competed for the United States in the 2004 Athens Olympics. All of the 
athletes on Team USA achieved amazing feats to qualify for these Games. 
The Michigan Olympians included Martin Boonzaayer in judo; Tim Broe in 
track and field; Swin Cash in basketball; Tara Cunningham in 
weightlifting; Andre Dirrell in boxing; Kate Johnson in rowing; Kara 
Lynn Joyce in swimming; Klete Keller in swimming; Dan Ketchum in 
swimming; Rachel Komisarz in swimming; Kate MacKenzie in rowing; Tom 
Malchow in swimming; Kate Markgraf in soccer; Jamie Nieto in track and 
field; Carly Piper in swimming; Andy Potts in the triathalon; Jasna 
Reed in table tennis; Ruth Riley in basketball; Dathan Ritzenhein in 
track and field; Artour Samsonov in rowing; Jeff Smoke in canoe/kayak; 
Daryl Szarenski in shooting; Sheila Taormina in the triathalon; Lindsay 
Tarpley in soccer; Paul Terek in track and field; Peter Vanderkaay in 
swimming; Steve Warner in rowing; and Lauryn Williams in track and 
field. This outstanding group of athletes brought honor to our State 
and Nation and accounted for a total of 15 medals for the United 
States: eight gold, five silver, and two bronze.
  In addition, competing at these Games were nine other athletes with 
ties to Michigan: Michael Phelps in swimming, who will be attending the 
University of Michigan, U of M; Alan Webb in track and field, who 
attended the U of M; and Venus Williams in tennis, who lived in 
Michigan, competed for Team USA. In addition, six athletes with 
Michigan ties competed for other countries: Courtney Babcock for Canada 
in track and field; Carlos Delfino for Argentina in basketball; Chris 
Demetral for Greece in baseball; Andrew Hurd for Canada in swimming; 
Kevin Sullivan for Canada in track and field; and Nick Willis for New 
Zealand in track and field.
  Every two years we watch the Summer and Winter Games to catch a 
glimpse of these extraordinary athletes' struggles and successes. An 
Olympian's life is about sacrifice, about showing up to grueling 
practices day after day, about working hard to become the best in the 
world. It was riveting to watch these Games unfold. In Athens, as is 
the case in every Olympiad, there were many amazing moments that will 
resonate in our minds for years to come. Let me take a moment to 
highlight a few of them.
  Representing the WNBA Champion Detroit Shock on the gold medal 
winning women's basketball team were Ruth Riley and Swin Cash. The 
women won the gold medal by going unbeaten, increasing their Olympic 
winning streak to an incredible 25 games. Another notable achievement 
was accomplished by Andre Dirrell of Flint, who won a bronze medal in 
the middleweight division in boxing. Dirrell showed the heart of a 
champion as one of only two U.S. boxers to win a medal in these Games.
  First-time Olympian Lauryn Williams of Detroit won the silver medal 
in the 100-meter sprint. In an extremely close race, Williams edged out 
a Jamaican runner to finish with the silver and a personal best time. 
In addition, Kate Johnson, from the U of M, won a silver medal as part 
of the women's eight rowing team. The team set a world record in one of 
their preliminary heats en route to winning their medal.
  On the soccer field, the U.S. women's team took the gold medal with 
an extremely thrilling 2 to 1 overtime victory over Brazil. Michigan 
residents Kate Markgraf and Lindsay Tarpley helped the team achieve 
this victory over the tough Brazilian team. Tarpley, a midfielder from 
Kalamazoo, tallied one assist against Greece and scored the first goal 
in the gold medal match against Brazil. Markgraf of Bloomfield Hills, 
starting in all six games as a defender, helped her team remain 
undefeated. This was her second time representing the United States in 
the Olympics.
  Another heart pounder came in the men's 4x200 meter freestyle 
swimming relay. The U.S. men's team, which included Peter Vanderkaay 
from Royal Oak, Klete Keller from Ann Arbor, U of M alumnus Dan Ketchum 
and future Wolverine Michael Phelps, held off a strong Australian team 
to win the gold and set an American record. In addition to this golden 
performance, Keller won the bronze medal in the 400-meter freestyle, 
and Michael Phelps won an additional five gold and two bronze medals to 
establish himself as one of the stars of this or any Olympiad.
  For the women's swim team, Kara Lynn Joyce from Ann Arbor won a 
silver medal as a part of the 4x100 meter medley relay team. 
Additionally, Joyce, along with teammate Rachel Komisarz from Warren, 
won a silver medal in the 4x100 meter freestyle relay. Another victory 
was secured by the women's 4x200 meter freestyle relay team, which 
included Komisarz and Carly Piper from Grosse Pointe Woods who swam in 
the finals. In the finals, the U.S. women broke the world record.
  The athletes with Michigan ties who represented other countries had 
many

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notable achievements as well. Second baseman and Troy resident Chris 
Demetral, a Greek American, assisted the Greek baseball team to a 7th 
overall finish. In men's basketball, Carlos Delfino, who was drafted by 
the World Champion Detroit Pistons in 2003 and will be joining the team 
this year, competed for the Argentinean Olympic team.
  Our athletes were supported by a great number of coaches and staff 
who made their success in the Games possible. The coaches with ties to 
Michigan include Bob Bowman of the U of M in swimming; Larry Brown of 
the Detroit Pistons in basketball; Todd Dagenais of Michigan State 
University in volleyball; Steven Fraser from the U of M in wrestling; 
Kevin Jackson from Jackson in wrestling; Al Mitchell of Northern 
Michigan University in boxing, and Jon Urbanchek of the U of M in 
swimming. In addition to the coaching staff, three U of M alumni were 
involved in the administration of the Games. Jeffrey Benz is the 
current general counsel and Abigail Tompkins is a member of the United 
States Olympic Committee, USOC. Thomas Miller is the current United 
States Ambassador to Greece. All of these individuals worked tirelessly 
to assist the athletes in their pursuit of greatness at these Games.
  I know I speak for all Michiganians in expressing appreciation and 
congratulations to all of the Michigan athletes, coaches, and 
administrators who took part in the 2004 Summer Olympic Games. The 
Games last a few short weeks, but the memories will be ingrained in the 
minds of all who saw them and shared vicariously in the efforts of 
these great athletes. For their commitment, drive and competitive 
spirit, I congratulate all the athletes of the 2004 Olympic Games, but 
it is with particular pride that I salute the athletes and coaches from 
Michigan.

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