[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 115 (Tuesday, July 31, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1366]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


 HONORING NATALIE DELL AND CHRISTA HARMOTTO FOR MAKING THE USA OLYMPIC 
                                  TEAM

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BILL SHUSTER

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 31, 2012

  Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring 
two outstanding athletes selected to the United States Olympic Team 
from the 9th Congressional District of Pennsylvania: Natalie Dell and 
Christa Harmotto.
  Natalie Dell, raised in Clearville, PA was a standout track star 
throughout her high school career. Upon attending Penn State 
University, Dell decided that she had reached her full potential in 
track and field and wanted to pursue another competitive sport. She 
chose to begin rowing where she quickly fell in love with the sport. 
After graduation, she continued to hone her strength and technique and 
joined the Riverside Boating Club in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Although 
Natalie was less experienced than the rest of her peers, her talent and 
status advanced rapidly as she soon became a member of the U.S. 
National Rowing Team. Her rigorous training and the perfection of her 
skill proved to be well worth the effort. Dell achieved a position on 
the 2012 Olympic Women's quadruple skulls boat and is the first alumnus 
from Penn State to row for the USA National Rowing Team. Her six day 
per week, two-a-day training has aptly prepared this courageous woman 
to represent the United States and the 9th district of Pennsylvania.
  The second great Olympian from our district is Christa Harmotto. 
Harmotto was brought up in Hopewell Township, PA where she excelled at 
sports from a young age. In high school, as a multiple year letterman 
for volleyball and basketball, Christa won the Pennsylvania Gatorade 
Player of the Year. She then transferred her high school success to 
that at Penn State, where she chose to continue her pursuit of 
volleyball. Her student athlete career was one of great success and 
achievement, as she acted as an integral member of a two-time national 
championship team, while simultaneously attaining All-American status 
for four straight years. A prominent figure on the squad as a middle 
blocker, Christa makes her Olympic debut in 2012. I am positive she 
will fight valiantly and work hard for her side in their journey to win 
the gold medal.
  Mr. Speaker, I congratulate these two heroes of Pennsylvania's 9th 
district. With their effort and determination, these two women are 
destined to do great things for our country and the 9th district of 
Pennsylvania. I am very proud of their hard work and determination to 
win for the United States Olympic Team. I hope you join me in wishing 
them and the rest of our Olympic athletes well in their respective 
competitions at this year's Games.

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