[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 146 (Monday, September 15, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1782]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  CONGRATULATING U.S. OLYMPIANS JENNIFER KAIDO AND BEEZIE MADDEN UPON 
    THEIR PARTICIPATION IN THE 2008 OLYMPIC GAMES IN BEIJING, CHINA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN M. McHUGH

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 15, 2008

  Mr. McHUGH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Jennifer 
Kaido and Beezie Madden upon their accomplishments as participants in 
the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China. These athletes embody the 
true spirit of the Olympic games and I am proud to represent them.
  Jennifer Kaido grew up in West Leyden, New York and is a 1999 
graduate of Adirondack High School. In Beijing, Jennifer competed as a 
rower in the Women's Quadruple Sculls and her crew finished ranked 
fifth in the world. Beezie Madden, a resident of Cazenovia, New York 
competing with her horse, Authentic, brought home two medals as a 
member of the U.S. Equestrian Team.
  Jennifer Kaido began her Olympic participation on August 10, 2008, 
when her Quadruple Sculls' crew finished third in their initial heat. 
In the repechage, they finished in second place, which qualified them 
for the finals. In the finals, the American crew valiantly rowed their 
way to an impressive fifth place finish.
  At one time Jennifer's journey to Beijing seemed unlikely. It is my 
understanding that Jennifer had never rowed prior to trying out for the 
crew team her senior year at Cornell. She is proof positive that 
through hard work and determination anything is truly possible. Her 
rapid ascension in her sport to the level of Olympian is simply 
amazing. Moreover, it has been widely accounted that Jennifer competed 
in China with a level-headed attitude along with a deep love for her 
family and community.
  Beezie Madden returns home from Beijing as one of the world's 
greatest equestrian jumpers. She followed up on her gold medal 
performance in the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens by again earning gold 
in the Team jumping competition. Astride her horse, Authentic, she also 
won a bronze medal in the individual jumping competition. In addition 
to these accomplishments, Beezie has earned many accolades throughout 
her career, including being named the U.S. Equestrian Federation 
Equestrian of the Year in consecutive years; she also has been named 
the American Grand Prix Association Rider of the Year and the U.S. 
Olympic Committee's Equestrian of the Year.
  Madam Speaker, I am pleased to have the opportunity to extend my 
sincere congratulations to Jennifer and Beezie upon their 
accomplishments. They represented our Nation and the residents of 
central and northern New York extraordinarily well and I wish them all 
the best in their future endeavors.

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