[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 79 (Monday, June 19, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Page S6058]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO JOHNNY WILSON

 Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. President, today I take a moment to honor the 
extraordinary accomplishments of a young citizen from Massachusetts, 
10-year-old Johnny Wilson. Last October, Johnny set a world record as 
the youngest person ever to swim from Alcatraz Island to Aquatic Park 
in San Francisco, a distance of 1.4 miles. It was an impressive 
accomplishment in and of itself, but Johnny's swim had far greater 
meaning and purpose than setting a record. For every quarter mile he 
swam, Johnny collected pledges for disaster relief for the victims of 
Hurricane Katrina, and his swim produced over $150,000.
  Johnny first got the idea from a family friend, Rick Murray, an Iron 
Man triathlete, who suggested the idea after noticing Johnny's strength 
as a swimmer and offered to be his coach. Johnny spent over a year in 
training, swimming 10 miles a week in pools during the school year and 
in the ocean near Hyannis Port during the summer. In addition, he spent 
3 months training in the cold water of the San Francisco Bay to further 
prepare for the conditions of his swim.
  Johnny first got the idea to use his swimming ability to raise funds 
last September, when his school began to emphasize efforts to aid the 
victims of Katrina. He and seven of his classmates rallied the local 
community, calling all the families they knew and asking for pledges 
for every quarter mile of the swim that Johnny would complete. By the 
day of the swim, these efforts had already yielded over $30,000 in 
donations.
  The swim began before sunrise at 6 a.m. last October 10. The large 
waves, freezing water, and the fact that he was the only child 
attempting the swim did not deter Johnny from diving in the water that 
morning. Flanked 10 feet on either side by adult safety swimmers and 
kayaks in case of an emergency, Johnny swam into Aquatic Park Cove 1 
hour 6 minutes later to the cheers of his family, teacher, and 
classmates. Halfway through the swim, he stopped to warm his numbed 
limbs, but when asked if wanted to stop swimming, he said no and 
continued on his way. His commitment to himself and to the Katrina 
victims he wanted to help enabled him to deal with the long, cold 
waters to reach his goal.
  The media attention to Johnny's swim and its admirable purpose 
increased his fundraising ability. Word of his mission spread in over 
600 broadcasts in 20 countries and led to appearances on the ``Today 
Show'', ``Oprah'' and ``CNN.'' The additional publicity helped raise 
$20,000 more for Johnny's cause, as people throughout the country and 
around the world were touched by the strength of his spirit and heart 
demonstrated by this remarkable young man. In the end, Johnny was able 
to make an amazing contribution of $51,000 to the Hurricane Katrina 
victims' fund of the Red Cross.
  Able and caring young people like Johnny inspire a new sense of hope 
for the Nation's future. He demonstrated the difference that one 
committed person can make in bringing people together to touch the 
lives of others. I commend Johnny Wilson for his impressive 
achievement, his caring heart, and his wonderful contribution to the 
lives of those devastated by Hurricane Katrina. He represents the best 
of our country, and I wish him well in the years ahead.

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