[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 185 (Wednesday, December 5, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2492]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CONGRATULATING THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF SPECIAL OLYMPIAN JESSICA CROOK OF 
                          LOGANSPORT, INDIANA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOE DONNELLY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 5, 2007

  Mr. DONNELLY. Madam Speaker, I am so proud to rise before you today 
to offer a word of congratulations to Special Olympian Jessica Crook of 
Logansport, Indiana for her accomplishments at this year's World Games 
in Shanghai, China and for being selected as a member of the 2007-2009 
class of Sargent Shriver International Global Messengers.
  Not only is Jessica the first Global Messenger to be selected from 
the State of Indiana, but she is an accomplished athlete as well. She 
became involved with the Special Olympics in 1999, with the Cass County 
Aquatics program. In June 2005, Jessica won a Gold Medal in the Summer 
Games, and followed up with two more in 2006. Also in 2006, Jessica won 
top honors in three events at the National Games.
  This year, Jessica was one of seven Hoosiers representing Team USA at 
the World Games in Shanghai, China. She competed in three events at the 
World Games, held in November, placing 6th in the 50-meter Freestyle, 
winning a Silver Medal as part of the 4x50-meter Medley Relay team, and 
winning a Gold Medal in the 50-meter Butterfly.
  As an International Global Messenger, Jessica will serve for two 
years as a voice of the Special Olympics. Sargent Shriver International 
Global Messengers (IGM) are a group of twelve Special Olympians from 
around the world that speak on behalf of the Special Olympics, 
appearing in various national and international media outlets. The new 
class, consisting of athletes from across the globe, is committed to 
the vision and benefits gained from participation in athletics. Jessica 
is the first Special Olympian athlete from Indiana to receive this 
distinguished appointment, and she is eager to relay the powerful 
declarations of hope, acceptance, dignity and courage of Special 
Olympics Athletes around the world.
  Again, it is my honor to join with the constituents of Indiana's 
Second Congressional District and around the country in congratulating 
Jessica Crook of Logansport, Indiana, for her accomplishments at the 
2007 Special Olympics World Games and for being selected as a Sargent 
Shriver International Global Messenger.

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