[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 104 (Wednesday, July 13, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1308]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       IN TRIBUTE OF MS. KATHLEEN LEDWIDGE AND MR. WALTER JOHNSEN

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                           HON. JOE COURTNEY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 13, 2011

  Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to extend my sincerest 
congratulations to Ms. Kathleen Ledwidge and Mr. Walter Johnsen, who 
brought home the silver medals last Thursday from the Special Olympics 
World Games in Greece. Connecticut's Second District is honored to 
recognize the extraordinary sailors, Kathleen and Walter, who hail from 
Mystic and Stonington, respectively.
  The very first time Walter and Kathleen sailed together was at the 
Special Olympic Games in Athens this year. Walter, who is only 15 years 
old, was partnered with Kathleen and they placed second, only points 
behind a team from Austria. While this may have been their first 
opportunity to sail together, these two have become lifelong friends 
who will sail the waters of the world for years to come.
  Spike Lobdell, President of the Stonington Harbor Yacht Club Sailing 
Club, said that every Tuesday afternoon, Walter, Kathy, and many other 
athletes attend training where their lessons not only improve their 
sailing skills but also their lives. He said that their goal is to 
teach life skills and that beyond their silver medals in the top 
bracket, ``Kathy and Walter are even more impressive off the water.''
  As we know, the Special Olympics began its remarkable tradition more 
than forty years ago when founder Eunice Kennedy Shriver recited the 
oath that is still said today: ``Let me win, but if I cannot win let me 
be brave in the attempt.'' Since those sacred words were first spoken, 
3.1 million athletes from 185 countries have participated in the Games, 
including the 12,000 who participated in Greece this year.
  It is inspiring to witness such talent from individuals in 
Connecticut. It takes significant courage to represent your State and 
your country and I would like to commend them and their fellow athletes 
for their bravery. The Special Olympics will always serve as a reminder 
of the importance of giving everyone a chance to be themselves in a 
world where it is sometimes difficult to do so.
  As President Barack Obama recently said, the ``Special Olympics, as a 
champion for people with intellectual disabilities, teaches our 
nation--and our world--that no physical or mental barrier can restrain 
the power of the human spirit.'' We have seen that spirit in the 
accomplishments of these two sailors. I ask that my colleagues join me 
in offering our sincerest congratulations to our brave and talented 
athletes, Ms. Kathleen Ledwidge and Mr. Walter Johnsen.

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