[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 167 (Wednesday, October 31, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Page S13621]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         XV PAN AMERICAN GAMES

  Mr. DODD. Mr. President, it is with great pride that I join all of 
Connecticut in extending congratulations to the many young athletes who 
competed in the 15th Pan American Games, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. For 
over half a century, these games have brought together athletes from 
across the Western Hemisphere. This year 5,648 athletes from 49 
countries came together in Rio to compete in 38 sports.
  The Pan American games, similar to the Olympics, provide us another 
valuable opportunity to enjoy international athletic competition 
undertaken for pride and the love of the sport. By participating in the 
15th Pan American Games, these young Americans have had an opportunity 
that few of their fellow Americans ever will--to join in competition 
with other young people from North, Central, and South America.
  I would like to commend the 14 athletes from Connecticut who competed 
in the games: John Ball, Andrew Bolton, Eliza Cleveland, Reilley 
Dampeer, Robert Merrick, Alyssa Naeher, Todd Paul, Cara Raether, 
Geoffrey Rathgeber, Sarah Trowbridge, Karen Scavotto, Cameron 
Winklevoss, Tyler Winklevoss, Bartosz Wolski. It is with great pleasure 
and pride that I offer further congratulations to the Connecticut 
athletes who brought home three gold and five silver medals and one 
bronze medal. Without a doubt, the nine medals won by Connecticut's 
athletes contributed to America's overall victory at the 15th Pan 
American Games. It is my hope that these kinds of events will further 
unite our hemisphere.

                          ____________________