[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 19 (Monday, February 6, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E144]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING THE UCI PARA-CYCLING TRACK WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS AT THE HOME 
                   DEPOT CENTER IN CARSON, CALIFORNIA

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. LAURA RICHARDSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, February 6, 2012

  Ms. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to discuss a particularly 
exciting event that will be held this weekend in my district. On 
February 10th-12th, The UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships will 
take place at the Home Depot Center Velodrome in Carson, California. 
The competition will welcome 230 athletes from 30 countries, including 
United States athletes: Allison Jones, Greta Neimanas, Clark Rachfal, 
Jennifer Schuble, Aaron Trent and California's very own, Anthony Zahn.
  The UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships are the world 
championships for track cycling and is open to male and female athletes 
with physical disabilities such as amputation, visual impairment, 
spinal cord injury, wheelchair-users and cerebral palsy.
  The UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships serves as the final 
qualifying event for U.S. athletes to be nominated to the 2012 U.S. 
Paralympic Cycling Team which will compete at the 2012 Paralympic Games 
in London this summer.
  Mr. Speaker, the Paralympics are a major international multi-sport 
event, similar to the Olympics, for athletes with physical 
disabilities. Over 4,000 athletes from 146 countries compete in the 
games, which run in parallel with the Winter and Summer Olympic Games. 
The goal of the Paralympics is to empower persons with disabilities 
through sport.
  Since its creation, the Paralympic games have been inspiring those 
with physical handicaps to realize their potential and strive to 
achieve their dreams. The Paralympics are making a difference in the 
lives of thousands of physically disabled people every day by focusing 
on participants' athletic achievements and ability rather than their 
limitations.
  Mr. Speaker, I have always been a big supporter of the Paralympics 
and their goals and that is why I am pleased that this year, the UCI 
Para-cycling Track World Championships will be held at the Home Depot 
Center in the 37th Congressional District. This marks the first time 
that the Home Depot Center will host a Paralympic event in its 
facility's history and just the second time ever, that the UCI Para-
cycling Track World Championships will be held in the United States.
  The Home Depot Center, home of Major League Soccer's Los Angeles 
Galaxy and Chivas USA, is designated as an ``Official U.S. Olympic 
Training Site,'' and is the first and only permanent indoor track of 
international standard in North America. It is a state-of-the-art 
facility that has brought much attention and prestige to my district.
  In March 2011, I was able to join U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security 
Janet Napolitano in support of the ``See Something, Say Something'' 
campaign, which has since expanded to include The Home Depot Center. 
The campaign raises public awareness of indicators of terrorism and 
violent crime and encourages average citizens to identify and report 
indicators of terrorism, crime and other threats to the proper 
transportation and law enforcement authorities.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud that my district is able to host such an 
extraordinary event that continues to empower people with disabilities 
and in the process, inspire people around the world. I am sure that the 
people of California will embrace the spirit of the Games and will 
cheer on the athletes as they compete for the Paralympic games this 
summer.

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