[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 46 (Tuesday, April 25, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E595]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING MATT VALENTI NCAA WRESTLING CHAMPION

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. CURT WELDON

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 25, 2006

  Mr. WELDON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, it is a special honor to 
recognize Matt Valenti, a student athlete from the University of 
Pennsylvania, who recently won the NCAA wrestling championship. Penn's 
sports history records need updating now to include Matt as one of only 
three wrestlers to have achieved this distinction as national champion. 
All three wrestlers are bound together by their high level of 
motivation and their devotion to the time-honored virtues of hard work 
and sacrifice.
  We are all aware of the competitive nature and demanding rigors of 
this sport. Matt's achievements have set a new benchmark for excellence 
in this sport. The following statistics speak for themselves and place 
Matt in an elite category:

       He won five consecutive matches against the nation's best 
     wrestlers in the 2006 NCAA Championships to win the national 
     title at 133 lbs.
       He showed courage and determination in reversing and riding 
     Chris Fleeger of Purdue University to win the national final 
     3-2.
       He accomplished his title by beating the tournament's 
     second and third-seeded wrestlers and a former national 
     runner-up.
       He had two pins in five matches at the NCAA Championships.
       He showed excellence and outstanding skill by being taken 
     down only once and reversed once in his five matches.
       He became only the third national champion in the 102-year 
     history of Penn wrestling.
       He led his team to score the most points in an NCAA 
     Championship in team history.
       He is a two-time All-American, in 2004 and 2006.

  On the day Matt won the NCAA Championship, the pressure on him was 
immense. The way he wrestled his way to the championship is a testament 
to his grace under pressure, his good sportsmanship, and most 
importantly, his example as a role model for youth that make him 
special to not only to wrestling fans in Pennsylvania, but to everyone 
who pursues the American dream.
  Finally, I would be remiss, if I did not recognize the extraordinary 
effort and commitment of Head Coach Zeke Jones who inspires and 
motivates the true grit and discipline so necessary on the mats. His 
personal commitment to excellence has served the University of 
Pennsylvania well. We share his pride in Matt Valenti's tremendous 
success as NCAA Champion and look to Matt to take us to the 2008 
Olympics.

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