[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 26 (Monday, February 9, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E224]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING MR. ADAM TALIAFERRO, RECIPIENT OF THE HUMANITARIAN AWARD 
        BESTOWED BY THE PHILADELPHIA SPORTS WRITERS ASSOCIATION

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ROBERT E. ANDREWS

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, February 9, 2009

  Mr. ANDREWS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Adam 
Taliaferro, who grew up in Voorhees, NJ, for receiving the 2009 
Humanitarian Award given by the Philadelphia Sports Writers 
Association. Mr. Taliaferro received this award in recognition of his 
work in creating the Adam Taliaferro Foundation, which helps athletes 
who, like Adam, have suffered spinal cord injuries. His foundation 
offers financial, emotional and educational support to student-athletes 
who experience head or spinal injuries.
  While making a tackle in the fourth quarter of a game at Ohio State 
on September 23, 2000, Mr. Taliaferro suffered a severe neck injury. 
His fifth cervical vertebra, located at the base of his neck, was 
fractured and doctors warned Adam and his family that he likely would 
never be able to walk again. Despite this dire prognosis, Adam regained 
the ability to walk only five months after the injury. Mr. Taliaferro 
has used his experience to touch the lives of others who have suffered 
similar injuries. He spends time personally responding to e-mail and 
phone calls from individuals who have life-altering disabilities. His 
encouraging words, from someone who knows from personal experience what 
it feels like to be seriously injured, mean the world to those on the 
other end of the line.
  Madam Speaker, since the injury Mr. Taliaferro has received his 
undergraduate degree from Penn State and his JD from Rutgers School of 
Law-Camden. He has also created the Adam Taliaferro Foundation which 
plays a vital role in the community, helping those with serious 
injuries. Mr. Taliaferro is an excellent role-model for every American. 
His ability to use adversity as the impetus for such a positive 
contribution is an example for us all. I congratulate Mr. Taliaferro 
for receiving the Humanitarian Award and wish him the best of luck in 
his future endeavors.

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