[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 51 (Wednesday, April 2, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2341-S2342]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       BRINGING TEAM USA SUCCESS

 Mr. VITTER. Mr. President, I wish to acknowledge Tara Bounds 
and Phyllis Mitchell, a mother-daughter team that fought adversity and 
brought home a Gold and Bronze Medal from the 2007 World Games Special 
Olympics in Shanghai, China. I would like to take a few moments to 
discuss their tireless efforts to bring Team USA success.

[[Page S2342]]

  Tara Bounds, a 25-year-old Ball, LA, resident, was diagnosed with 
Down's syndrome at birth. She began competing in the Special Olympics 
at age 8. However, it is only by miracle that Tara could even compete 
athletically. She also has a congenital heart defect and needed two 
surgeries before the age of 5 in order to live. Phyllis Mitchell 
coached Bounds along to help her win the Gold Medal in the softball 
throw and the Bronze Medal in the 50-meter run.
  The World Games were held from October 2 to October 11, 2007, with 
over 7,000 athletes participating from 110 countries. Tara persevered 
past three competitions: the area competition, the State competition in 
Hammond, LA, and the national competition in Iowa. In order to 
continue, you must win at least one Gold Medal in the State and 
national competition. However, Tara almost did not make it due to 
monetary reasons, but she held fundraisers, and the people of Louisiana 
chipped in to send her to the World Olympics.
  In order to practice, Tara ran at two local high schools, Pineville 
and Tioga. She also set up a target in her back yard to prepare for the 
softball toss. Tara ended up with a distance of 16.94 meters to win 
gold in the softball toss and ran the 50-meter run in 11.68 seconds to 
win bronze.
  Tara continues to strive for excellence and hopes to participate in 
the 2011 Special Olympics in Athens, Greece. We should all aspire to 
follow her example. Today, I congratulate Tara Bounds and Phyllis 
Mitchell for their victory, and I wish them continued success.

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