[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 176 (Wednesday, November 19, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2259]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO JESSICA LONG

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. C.A. DUTCH RUPPERSBERGER

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 19, 2008

  Mr. RUPPERSBERGER. Madam Speaker, I rise before you today to honor 
Jessica Long, in celebration of her continued achievements at the 2008 
Paralympics in Beijing.
  Jessica Long was born in Siberia and was adopted from a Russian 
orphanage at the age of 13 months along with her brother Joshua by 
Steven and Beth Long of Middle River, Maryland. Because of lower leg 
anomalies, her legs were amputated when she was 18 months old. She 
learned to walk with prostheses and has been unstoppable ever since. 
Long has been involved in many sports including gymnastics, 
cheerleading, ice skating, biking, trampoline, and, of course, she 
loves to swim. She began swimming in her grandparent's pool before 
joining her first competitive team in 2002. The next year, Jessica was 
selected as Maryland Swimming's 2003 Female Swimmer with a Disability 
of the Year. Jessica made the international swimming world take notice 
at the 2004 Paralympic Games, winning three gold medals. Only 12 years 
old at the time, Jessica was the youngest athlete on the U.S. 
Paralympic Team.
  Jessica had a phenomenal year in 2006 with a long list of impressive 
accomplishments. She set five world records and earned nine gold medals 
at the 2006 International Paralympic Committee Swimming World 
Championships in Durban, South Africa in December. In addition to 
countless other gold medals and awards, Jessica was named U.S. Olympic 
Committee Paralympian of the Year. In 2007, Jessica set three world 
records at the GTAC Disability Open in Michigan and three world records 
at the Spring Can-Am Swimming Championships in Quebec. She also beat 
out many prominent amateur athletes for the prestigious 77th AAU James 
E. Sullivan Award. In 2008, Jessica set another world record at the 
Can-Am Championships in British Columbia and was the recipient of the 
Juan Antonio Samaranch IOC Disabled Athlete Award.
  After all of the numerous world records Jessica has set, the awards 
she has received, and the medals she has won, at the age of 16 Jessica 
eagerly anticipated the 2008 Paralympics in Beijing. There, Jessica won 
four gold medals, a silver medal, and a bronze medal.
  Madam Speaker, I ask that you join with me today to honor Ms. Jessica 
Long. She is an outstanding and dedicated member of the United States 
Paralympic Team. In spite of her disability, she has shown a unique and 
committed work ethic in sports training and competition. Jessica has 
shown the world that no limitation can prevent an individual from 
achieving great success. It is with great pride that I congratulate her 
on bringing six medals home from the 2008 Paralympics in Beijing.

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