[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 151 (Tuesday, September 23, 2008)]
[House]
[Page H8706]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              HONORING HANNAH WARFIELD AND JENNY BARRINGER

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Perlmutter) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize two members of 
one of my Colorado offices, Hannah Warfield and Jenny Barringer. These 
two are world-class athletes from my alma mater, the University of 
Colorado. They recently competed in the U.S. Olympic track and field 
trials in Eugene, Oregon; and in Jenny's case, the 2008 Olympics in 
Beijing.
  I want to start off by saying a few words about Hannah, a native of 
Sydney, Montana, who competed in the women's javelin competition. Her 
work ethic is extraordinary; and despite the rigors of working a full-
time job and recently graduating from the University of Colorado, she 
maintains a training schedule which begins at 5 a.m. in the morning and 
would humble even the most dedicated among us.
  This work ethic propelled her to become the 2007 NCAA Women's Big 12 
Champion in the javelin event, a distinction not achieved by a 
University of Colorado athlete in 20 years.
  She is one of the most pleasant, organized and courteous individuals 
I have ever had the opportunity to meet. And although Hannah came just 
short of making it to Beijing, words cannot express the amount of pride 
and inspiration she brought to our office and our community with her 
dedication to the pursuit of her dreams. Hannah's positive attitude and 
tenacity should serve as an inspiration to all of us.
  Next, I would like to take to moment to speak about Jenny Barringer 
from Oviedo, Florida, who competed in the women's 3,000 meter 
steeplechase event. Jenny is a true pioneer in the sport which made its 
inaugural appearance at the 2008 games.
  Prior to the Olympics, she shattered the American record in the 
women's steeplechase with a time of 9:22:73. If that were not enough, 
she maintains a 3.7 GPA, serves as a sign language interpreter, 
volunteers with the Ronald McDonald House, Habitat for Humanity, and 
the local adopt-a-road program.
  I can attest that Coloradoans watched her with excitement and 
anticipation as Jenny made her Olympic debut and competed in the 
Beijing games where she once again made history by breaking her own 
American record with a time of 9:22:26. This was a 9th place finish in 
the world. Jenny made our community and Nation proud.
  But what impresses me most about Hannah and Jenny is that for as 
great as their athletic ability, they are even better people. Active in 
their communities, great students, combined with a desire to go above 
and beyond what is expected, they serve as a positive example of what 
can be achieved with hard work and a positive attitude.
  As a father of three young women myself, all of whom are athletes, I 
can attest Hannah and Jenny represent the pride and hope every parent 
feels when they drop their own daughters off at an athletic practice.
  It is an amazing honor to see two of our own in Colorado rise to this 
level, especially knowing it could not have happened to two better 
people. Hannah Warfield and Jenny Barringer embody the best our country 
could hope for in the next generation of Americans, and I am privileged 
for the opportunity to have come to know these two remarkable 
individuals.

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