[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 122 (Wednesday, September 12, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1502-E1503]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         IN RECOGNITION OF THE PARALYMPIANS IN LONDON, ENGLAND

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ALLEN B. WEST

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 12, 2012

  Mr. WEST. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the outstanding 
achievements of a class of athletes whose stories embody the classic 
American values of perseverance and commitment to excellence.
  I am speaking of the laudable Paralympians who represented our nation 
in the Paralympic Games in London.
  There is perhaps no better event to remind us of the unwavering 
desire for greatness, inherent in every American, than the Paralympic 
Games. The Olympic Games in London have amplified the patriotic spirit 
that unites us as Americans and reminds us, with each American medal, 
of our grand fortune as citizens of this blessed country and our legacy 
of exceptionalism.
  Paralympic athletes complement the narrative of our history by 
reinforcing the notion that determination and dedication trump any of 
the hurdles circumstance may send our way. Their remarkable 
achievements as Paralympians alike shatter misconceptions that physical 
disability implies shortcoming of any kind. I am proud to stand 
alongside them and support them as emissaries of the United States.
  Their rousing individual stories prove just as remarkable as the 
event itself. As a Member of the House of Representatives from south 
Florida, I am overjoyed to represent five inspiring Paralympians.
  Justin Zook, a young man from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, has quite the 
resume. Justin competed on the United States Swim Team in the London 
Paralympics, and earned a gold medal in the men's 100 meter backstroke. 
In his special event, Justin has won a total of three gold medals in 
the 100 meter backstroke. He has set impressive world records in the 50 
meter backstroke, 100 meter backstroke and 400 meter freestyle. He has 
represented Team USA for the past two Paralympic Games in the S10 
division, winning gold and bronze medals at both appearances. Justin's 
record of excellence charges on, never affected by his disability.
  In addition to his marked brilliance in the realm of swimming, Justin 
remains committed to his academics as he pursues an MBA in Sport 
Management at Florida Atlantic University and ultimately strives for 
the position of Athletics Director at an NCAA Division I institution. 
His focus and determination to excel in all aspects of life are 
qualities deserving of the utmost respect.
  Paul Callahan, of Palm Beach, Florida competed in the Three-Person 
Keelboat Sonar sailing event along with two other team members, and 
came in seventh place. Paul currently serves as the Chief Executive 
Officer of ``Sail to Prevail'', a non-profit corporation whose mission 
dates back to 1982 and seeks to provide disabled children and adults 
with the opportunity to overcome adversity through therapeutic sailing. 
Paul's championing of ``Sail to Prevail'' is reflected in his own 
experience and story.
  After an accident during his junior year at Harvard rendered Paul a 
C4-5 quadriplegic in 1979, he returned to school after years of 
therapy, obtained a degree from the prestigious Harvard Business 
School, and worked at Goldman Sachs for a number of years. Paul left 
Wall Street to join the team at ``Sail for Prevail'', where he learned 
to sail nearly 15 years after his accident and cultivated the sailing 
expertise and philosophy that would eventually lead him to become part 
of the United States Sailing Team in 1998, and a participant with the 
2000 and 2012 Paralympic teams. Paul's dedication to providing the 
means and occasions for disabled individuals to sail alongside their 
able-bodied counterparts reflects his vision to create bigger and 
better opportunities for disabled athletes to counter the physical and 
psychological challenges that can sometimes come with disability. Among 
many other notable qualities, Paul's tenacity and love for his craft 
makes him a standout athlete and Paralympian.
  Noah Yablong is a recent graduate of the University of Arizona with a 
degree in mechanical engineering from Ocean Ridge, Florida. Noah's 
immense talent qualified him to travel with Team USA to compete in the 
London Paralympics in the sport of wheelchair tennis. In the London 
Paralympics, Noah qualified to compete up to round 32 in the wheelchair 
men's tennis doubles, along with his teammate Steve Baldwin. He also 
succeeded in making it to round 64 in the wheelchair men's singles. 
Noah's athletic endeavors, achieved in spite of the disease that limits 
his mobility, have provided him with opportunities of travel and sport 
that most American athletes can only imagine. Noah has visited five of 
the seven continents for tennis, and represented the United States in 
the World Team Cup three times.
  Noah's story is a classic one that speaks to the American spirit of 
perseverance. A participant in every sport imaginable, Noah's athletic 
experiences before his diagnosis included basketball, baseball, soccer, 
tennis, golf, and swimming. At age ten, Noah was diagnosed with Legg 
Calve Perthes, a rare and degenerative hip disease that makes it 
exceedingly difficult for him to walk and run. A devoted athlete 
through and through, the thirty hours of weekly training Noah dedicates 
to his craft extinguishes the assumption that disabilities limit 
accomplishments, and ultimately dreams. Noah's story, like Paul's, is a 
testament to the power of hard work and proves inspirational to all 
Americans, regardless of background or circumstance.
  A fourth example of athletic excellence is Brad Johnson, a member of 
the United States Paralympic Sailing Team three times over and a lawyer 
by trade. Never limited by the automobile accident that severed both of 
his legs, Brad began his career as a nationally-renowned athlete 
and Paralympian by participating in the national sit-volleyball team 
after graduating from law school. Brad's love for sailing was one that 
he cultivated relatively recently, illustrated by the fact that he took 
up the sport at the age of thirty. Nearly a decade and a half later, 
Brad has managed to collect a variety of medals and championships that 
distinguish him as truly one of the best in both sit-volleyball and 
sailing. Along with one of his teammates Paul Callahan, he placed 
seventh in the Three-Person Keelboat Sonar sailing event.

  After Brad medaled at the 2004 Athens Paralympic Games in the sonar 
class of sailing, he returned to sit-volleyball and traveled to Rio de 
Janeiro, Brazil as part of the winning-U.S. Men's Sitting Volleyball 
Team in 2007. In 2010, Brad attended the Sitting Volleyball World 
Championships as a participant of Team USA, where the team placed 
tenth. As a practicing attorney and Paralympian residing in Pompano 
Beach, Florida, Brad maintains a full schedule, but always seeks to 
integrate his love for sport, determination in his career, and 
commitment to changing perceptions toward disability in his daily life. 
The versatility and activism with which Brad approaches his craft makes 
me proud to represent him.
  Scott Danberg resides in Cooper City, Florida and represents one of 
the most recognized athletes in the Games. Scott competed in the past 
four consecutive Paralympic Games, which makes his appearance in London 
his fifth Paralympic Games. While there, he placed seventh in the men's 
discus throw. Over the 20-plus years that Scott has competed, he has 
garnered accolades in a variety of events as part of the U.S. Track and 
Field Team. His distinction in the events of javelin, shot put and 
powerlifting characterize Scott as an outstandingly talented athlete, 
which speaks to the discipline he shows in his personal life, as well 
as his competitive life.

[[Page E1503]]

  Scott works as the Director of Fitness at Pritikin Longevity Center 
in Aventura, Florida, a company dedicated to promoting a holistic 
approach to health that focuses on nutrition, exercise and mind-body 
health. As a Master's of Kinesiology and a Ph.D. candidate in 
Leadership and Education, it is clear that Scott's true passion lies in 
his desire to harmonize all of his strengths, talents, by inspiring 
others to also achieve their dreams. Scott's lifestyle and achievements 
distinguish him as an exceptional Floridian and one that I am honored 
to represent. I enjoyed watching him compete in both the shot put and 
discus categories in the Games, and commend him for leading by example.
  These great Paralympians are some of the best athletes that our 
country has to offer. Their will to succeed is not limited, but rather 
encouraged by the adversity they have faced. These men are defined by 
so much more than their disabilities. They are defined by their 
fearlessness, by their steadfast movement forward in pursuing bigger 
and better, by their medals, by their families and communities, by 
their hearts, and by the American spirit built in each of them.
  Justin, Paul, Noah, Brad, and Scott set an example for men, women, 
and children in every way. During the 2012 Paralympic Games, they made 
all Americans and our Nation proud.

                          ____________________