[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 147 (Tuesday, September 16, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Pages S8847-S8848]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             U.S. OLYMPIANS

  Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, I rise today to honor two Vermonters who 
represented their country this summer in China. Everyone at one time or 
another has heard the Mark Twain quote, ``It's not the size of the dog 
in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog.'' Nothing embodies 
this adage to me more than the commendable determination of this year's 
Vermont summer Olympians. Vermonters have always stood as an example of 
what a good hard day's work can accomplish, and this summer in Beijing 
was no exception. In a world of more than 6.5 billion people, our great 
State of 610,000 creates world class athletes that stand out against 
the crowd.
  Representing Vermont on the U.S. Women's Weightlifting Team was 
Carissa Gump, originally of Essex. Ever since her middle school gym 
teacher first convinced her to pursue weightlifting, her dedication has 
brought her success. One of only two U.S. women competing in her weight 
class, Carissa was able to finish an impressive fifth in her group and 
thirteenth overall. Showing off her Vermont bred toughness, she managed 
to complete every one of her lifts all while nursing an aggravating 
left wrist injury. From reading Carissa's online blog, anyone can also 
learn about her amazing and loving family. Her parents, Kathie and 
Marty, and her husband Jason took time away from work to fly to Beijing 
with Carissa and give her their support. This inspiring display of 
heart truly embodied Vermont's Olympic spirit and I would like to join 
with her family and friends in commending Carissa's remarkable 
achievement.
  On the track, the Men's 800 meters featured Norwich native Andrew 
Wheating. Andrew has become a regular in the national headlines ever 
since he finished second in the U.S. Olympic Trials and earned a ticket 
to represent his country in Beijing. Currently a sophomore at the 
University of Oregon and the only Vermonter to run a 4-minute-mile, 
Andrew has already established himself as one of the sport's rising 
young talents. The son of Betsy and Justin Wheating, Andrew not only 
showcased his talent to the world, he also realized a longtime family 
dream. Justin Wheating as a standout athlete in his home country of 
England never had a chance to represent his country in an Olympic 
games. However, Mr. Wheating managed to pass the torch to an 
exceptional son who Vermont is proud to call one of our own and 
Andrew's thrilling performance in these Olympic quarterfinals showed 
the world why. With all of the success and accolades this young man has 
already accumulated, there is no doubt in my mind that he has a very 
bright future ahead of him.
  In a place historically famous for its winter athletes, these 
exceptional competitors just further prove it is impossible to pigeon 
hole our great State. For those of you who enjoy skiing Vermont in the 
winter, perhaps it is time to come see why we call them the ``Green 
Mountains'' next summer? The extraordinary displays of speed and power 
by these Vermonters on the world's largest stage perfectly showcased 
our diverse range of talent and I want to thank Carissa and Andrew for 
making their State and country proud.
  Mr. BAYH. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to the 10 
outstanding Hoosier athletes who represented the State of Indiana and 
all of the United States in the Games of the XXIX Olympiad in Beijing, 
China.
  Lloy Ball, a volleyball player from Fort Wayne; David Boudia, a diver 
from Noblesville; Amber Campbell, a track and field athlete from 
Indianapolis; Lauren Cheney, a soccer player from Indianapolis; LeRoy 
Dixon, a track and field athlete from South Bend; Mary Beth Dunnichay, 
a diver from Elwood; Thomas Finchum, a diver from Indianapolis; David 
Neville, a track and field athlete from Merrillville; Samantha Peszek, 
a gymnast from Indianapolis; and Bridget Sloan, a gymnast from 
Pittsboro, all represented the Hoosier State as members of Team USA.
  This Olympiad is the first for many of the Hoosier athletes; others 
have donned the colors of Team USA before. This year, Lloy Ball, a 
member of the

[[Page S8848]]

U.S. men's volleyball team, became the first male athlete from the 
United States to compete in four Olympic Games. Lloy's incredible feat 
will forever be part of Indiana and Olympic sports history, and I know 
our entire State is immensely proud to count him among our own.
  These Hoosiers have shown superior abilities, extraordinary work 
ethics, and unflappable determination in their quests to become Olympic 
athletes. The road to the pinnacle of athletic success has required 
thousands of hours of demanding training over years of preparation, yet 
these athletes show us that commitment to excellence truly has its 
rewards. For many of our Hoosier athletes, the spoils of their hard 
work and dedication came in the form of an Olympic medal. Lloy Ball and 
the men's volleyball team brought home a gold medal, as did Lauren 
Cheney and the women's soccer team. David Neville won the bronze medal 
in the 400 meter final, and Samantha Peszek and Bridget Sloan were 
awarded the silver medal with their teammates on the women's gymnastics 
team.
  These 10 athletes traveled halfway around the globe to compete 
against the worlds' finest, and brought with them the unwavering 
support of their fellow Hoosiers. The people of Indiana are fortunate 
to have had such an exceptional group representing us at the Olympic 
Games.
  Team USA represents the best America has to offer, and these Hoosiers 
have made our State and our country proud.
  Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, the Olympic Games has always been a time 
for the world to celebrate the triumph of the human spirit and personal 
qualities that determine excellence: discipline, commitment and a 
positive, winning attitude. Athletes from all over the world bring 
pride to their countries, friends and family during the Olympic Games. 
Most importantly, they achieve the distinction that can come when an 
individual applies determination and hard work to develop a God-given 
talent. Motivated to get up early, often before work, to pound the 
pavement, ride the roads and trails, shoot baskets, hit balls, lift 
weights or swim laps, these women and men are committed to improving 
their strength, agility, speed and stamina. I am especially proud of 
the Idahoans who competed in the 2008 Olympics, representing their 
teams, their Nation and their families with skill and pride.
  As you may know, Boise resident Kristin Armstrong won the gold in the 
women's cycling time trial. Kristin is well known around the Boise 
area: many have seen her cycling or at the local YMCA where she is an 
instructor. She is an inspiration to those who know her and she has 
made Idaho proud. Bishop Kelly High School graduate Nick Symmonds 
advanced to the preliminary round in the 800 meter run. Georgia Gould, 
a one-time Ketchum resident competed in the women's mountain bike race. 
Team USA also included Idahoans: Matt Brown, a graduate of Coeur 
d'Alene High School, played third baseman for Team USA in baseball. 
Debbie McDonald, from Hailey, competed for Team USA in dressage. 
Idahoans excelled on teams from other nations as well. Clare 
Bodensteiner, a graduate of Minico High School, played for the New 
Zealand basketball team. Angela Whyte, a former University of Idaho 
runner and now assistant coach competed for Canada in the 100 meter 
hurdles and, Joachim Olsen, also a University of Idaho athlete, 
competed in the shot put for Denmark. Emerson Frostad, a former Lewis-
Clark State College baseball player played for Team Canada as a 
catcher/first baseman. Eric Matthias, a Boise resident and in graduate 
school at Boise State University, competed for the British Virgin 
Islands in the discus throw.
  And in the Paralympics--the second-largest sporting event in the 
world after the Olympics--that are concluding in Beijing this week, 
Idaho native Barbara Buchan took the gold in the 3,000 meter cycling 
event. Barbara was the 1972 high school mile run State champion from 
Mountain Home High School and went on to graduate from Boise State 
University. She was severely injured in a cycling accident in 1982, 
suffering almost fatal wounds. In addition to terrible physical 
injuries, she was in a coma for 2 months and had surgery to remove the 
damaged parts of her brain. After years of physical and mental 
rehabilitation, Barbara came back, her passion for cycling unchanged. A 
five-time Paralympics competitor at 52 years old, Barbara embodies the 
Olympic spirit.
  To all these courageous, gifted and dedicated Idaho athletes, I offer 
my heartfelt congratulations for a job well done. You continue to make 
Idaho proud.

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