[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 52 (Thursday, March 29, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E482]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING ANDREW RODRIGUEZ, WINNER OF THE 2011 JAMES E. SULLIVAN AWARD

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES P. MORAN

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 29, 2012

  Mr. MORAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Alexandria, Virginia 
resident Andrew Rodriguez, on his receipt of the highly-esteemed 
Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) 2011 James E. Sullivan Award. The award 
honors the nation's outstanding amateur athlete and has annually been 
presented since 1930. Finalists were selected from personal nominations 
following a review by the AAU Sullivan Award Executive Committee. 
Renowned recipients of the Award include: Mark Spitz, Jackie Joyner-
Kersee, Florence Joyner, Peyton Manning, Michael Phelps, J.J. Redick, 
Tim Tebow, and Shawn Johnson, just to name a few.
  As you may know, the AAU is dedicated to promoting amateur athletics 
throughout this nation and is one of the largest non-profit volunteer 
sports organizations in the U.S. For over 100 years, AAU has remained 
committed to helping young people develop as both athletes and as 
valued citizens of their communities. The Sullivan Award, which is in 
its 82nd year, making it even older than the Heisman trophy, salutes 
amateur athletes who not only succeed in sports, but who also exhibit 
strong moral character in their daily lives.
  In order to be considered, Sullivan Award nominees must demonstrate 
talent, excellent character, leadership and sportsmanship-- all 
qualities that Andrew has certainly surpassed during his career at the 
United States Military Academy at West Point. He recently received the 
Army's first Campbell Trophy and the National Football Foundation 
National Scholar-Athlete award, which recognizes the nation's best in 
combined academic success, community leadership, and performance on the 
football field. Andrew currently carries a 4.14 GPA as a mechanical 
engineering major and ranks third academically in his class of 1,052 
cadets.
  In addition to his exemplar character and scholarly record, Andrew is 
a senior linebacker on Army's football team and delivered 140 career 
tackles in 23 career games. Andrew suffered what many thought was a 
career-ending injury and missed the entire 2010 football season, but 
through determination and hard work, recovered and returned for the 
2011 season as team captain.
  Andrew is an outstanding leader both on the field and in the 
classroom. He has been very active in giving back to his community and 
honoring our military by spending many hours visiting the injured at 
Walter Reed Army Medical Center. He follows his father, Commanding 
General of the U.S. Army Forces Command David Rodriguez, and sister 
Amy, in a family tradition at West Point.
  Mr. Speaker, I am honored to ask my colleagues to join AAU and myself 
in congratulating Andrew on his outstanding achievement. We can all see 
that he is an exceptional, strong leader, and I very much look forward 
to following his continued success. It is truly an honor to represent 
Andrew and his family in the United States Congress, and I sincerely 
thank them for their commitment to our nation.

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