[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 156 (Sunday, September 28, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2102]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO RUDY GARCIA-TOLSON

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JOE BACA

                             of california-

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 26, 2008

  Mr. BACA. Madam Speaker, I stand here today to congratulate an 
amazing athlete who broke the world record time, winning him a gold 
medal, in the 200m individual medley in addition to winning a bronze 
medal in the 100m breaststroke at the Beijing Games of the XIII 
Paralympiad this summer. He was awarded 2 of the 99 medals the United 
States proudly won.
   By the age of five, this brave young man had already undergone 15 
surgeries as a result of having been born with pterygium syndrome, 
resulting in a clubbed foot, webbed fingers on both hands, a cleft lip 
and palate, and the inability to straighten his legs. However, having 
endured so much at such young age, he decided to have both legs 
amputated above the knee.
   Mr. Garcia-Tolson took it upon himself to embrace these new 
prosthetic legs and began running, cycling and swimming. By 1999 at the 
age of 10 years, he had become the youngest bilateral amputee to ever 
complete a triathlon on his own. Within that same year, he also set his 
first national record in swimming.
   In 2000 and 2001, Mr. Garcia-Tolson finished in first place in the 
Silver Strand Marathon. In 2002, he was a recipient of the Casey Martin 
Award which honors individuals with a disability fighting for the right 
to compete in sports. In 2004, Teen People Magazine names him one of 
``20 Teens Who Will Change the World.''
   In 2004, having just turned 16 years old, Rudy Garcia-Tolson 
received his first gold medal at the Paralympic Games by breaking the 
200m individual medley world record. He continued his training as well 
as passion for sports by completing the Ford Ironman World Championship 
70.3 in 2006. Not long after, he broke the world record swimming the 
200m individual medley at the 2007 U.S. Paralympics Open Swimming 
Championships.
   As an athlete myself, I recognize the necessary courage, strength 
and dedication one must possess to triumph all that Mr. Garcia-Tolson 
has accomplished. Turning 20 years old earlier this week, he is to be 
celebrated not only for achieving the most impressive awards in his 
sport, but smashing world records along the way. More than anything, he 
is an inspiration to us all, conquering so much despite what hurdles 
laid in his path.
   God Bless Rudy Garcia-Tolson for his talent, passion and love of 
country and mankind.

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