[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 152 (Wednesday, September 24, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1874]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING LOCAL OLYMPIANS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GRACE F. NAPOLITANO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 23, 2008

  Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Madam Speaker, I join my colleagues in honoring the 
accomplishments of our U.S. Olympic Athletes.
  Javier Molina had a hole in his lung but that didn't stop him from 
representing his country. Hailing from Norwalk, California Javier--the 
son of Mexican-American immigrants and part of a boxing legacy that 
spans both sides of the U.S./Mexico border--became the youngest member 
of the 2008 U.S. boxing team at 18 years old. His hard work and 
determination has made everyone in the 38th District of California and 
the Latino community very proud.
  All Olympic athletes work hard to achieve their goals but some 
athletes also have to fight through injuries. In Beijing Javier 
suffered from a condition called ``subcutaneous emphysema'' where air 
was able to seep out of a small hole in his lung. Although this 
condition made it hard for Javier to breathe and drained his energy he 
put up a strong front and boxed so he could represent the United States 
with dignity. Javier did not bring home a medal but he stayed 
committed, fought, and made us proud.
  I also want to take this opportunity to recognize another one of my 
constituents, Laura Berg from Sante Fe Springs, California. Laura was a 
member of the 2008 U.S. Softball team which brought a silver medal home 
from Beijing.
  This was the fourth time that Laura has represented our Nation at the 
Olympics, winning gold medals in softball at the 2004 Olympics in 
Sydney, the 2000 Olympics in Athens, and at the 1996 Olympics in 
Atlanta. She is the only four-time Olympian in the history of softball. 
At the 2006 International Softball Federation's World Championships, 
she also set a world record by appearing in her fourth World 
Championship.
  Before stepping down in 2007 to train for the Olympics, Laura showed 
her commitment to helping the next generation by working as an 
assistant coach at her alma mater, Fresno State.
  On behalf of the 38th District of California, we are so proud of all 
our Olympians.

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