[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 176 (Wednesday, November 14, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2415]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO JOHN WOODRUFF

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BILL SHUSTER

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 14, 2007

  Mr. SHUSTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor John Woodruff, an 
Olympic Gold Medalist who passed away last week at the age of 92. 
Woodruff, a native of Connellsville, Pennsylvania, was one of the most 
remarkable athletes in the world and will always be remembered for his 
astonishing come-from-behind victory in the 800 meter run at the 1936 
Berlin Olympics.
  John Woodruff is also remembered as one of the great American rags-
to-riches success stories. Born into a struggling family with 11 
siblings, John overcame numerous obstacles on his way to becoming an 
American hero. He dropped out of high school to work in order to help 
support his family, but was denied a job. He returned to school, joined 
the track team and earned a scholarship to the University of 
Pittsburgh, becoming the first member of his family to attend college.
  It was the summer of his freshman year that Woodruff qualified for 
the Olympic Games, outrunning the best American distance runners in the 
field to make it to Berlin. It was there, during the 800 meter final, 
that Woodruff pulled one of the riskiest moves in the history of the 
Olympic Games. Finding himself boxed in by several professional 
runners, Woodruff stopped in the middle of the race and let everyone 
pass him. He then ran around the other runners to take the lead, 
becoming the first American in 24 years to win the race.
  Woodruff returned home a hero, and continued his college and track 
career, during which time he won numerous championships and set the 
American record in the 800 meter run, which lasted 12 years. He 
graduated from Pitt and served in World War II and Korea, after which 
he retired as a lieutenant colonel. He passed away on October 30th in 
Fountain Hills, Arizona.
  John Woodruff was a true American hero who proved that with 
determination and hard work, any feat can be overcome. Our thoughts are 
with his family as they mourn their loss, and may they be comforted in 
knowing that John will be remembered as a leader who dedicated his life 
to serving his country as both an Olympian and a soldier. His legacy 
will live on in Connellsville, as his community honors and remembers 
their hero at a memorial service on Sunday.

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