[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 129 (Friday, September 21, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6677-S6678]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        2012 PARALYMPIC ATHLETES

  Mr. BLUMENTHAL. Mr. President, today I rise to recognize three of our 
Nation's inspiring Paralympians, with Connecticut roots, who competed, 
along with 227 American teammates and more than 4,000 athletes from 
over 160 countries, in this year's Paralympic games in London. During 
these games, which took place from August 29 to September 9, the United 
States brought home 98 medals, including 31 gold medals. The 
exceptional drive, discipline, and dreams of these athletes are as 
extraordinary as the medals. Their personal stories of sacrifice and 
hard work, effort and energy, and aspirations turned into realities, 
despite setbacks and adversity, are truly remarkable.
  In 1948 at Aylesbury, England's Stoke Mandeville Hospital, the idea 
of the Paralympics was formed, and so it is historically significant 
that England hosted this year's Paralympic games. Sir Ludwig Guttmann 
envisioned including disabled veterans in international sports 
competition, and in 1948 his dream was realized in the International 
Wheelchair Games. In 1960, Rome hosted the first official Paralympic 
games as we know them today. As we look back at this year's games--one 
of the largest Paralympics in historya--we celebrate this legacy. We 
are reminded of how important these games were for the rehabilitation 
of our disabled World War II veterans.
  For Tara Profitt of Newington, CT, and member of the 2012 U.S. 
Paralympic Table Tennis Team, England as host country is personally 
significant. Ms. Profitt competed in the women's singles competition at 
the 1984 Paralympics hosted in Stoke Mandeville, England, but always 
hoped to have the opportunity to play alongside her college friend and 
fellow table tennis champion, Pamela Fontaine, in the women's team 
class. This year, in addition to participating individually in the 
women's single class events, Ms. Profitt and Ms. Fontaine were selected 
to represent the United States together in the women's team event, 
reuniting again on familiar territory. Ms. Profitt has credited Ms. 
Fontaine with inspiring her to become the athlete she is today, 
encouraging her to engage in sports again after the diving injury that 
she suffered as a teenager. They have worked hard to qualify over the 
past few years, traveling around the world to compete, and this year 
achieved the goal that they have held dearly for decades: to play 
together, celebrating their country and friendship on an international 
stage.
  Representing the United States in track and field, three-time gold 
medalist Paul Nitz traveled from Bloomfield, CT, to participate in his 
third Paralympic games. This year, he was given the tremendous honor of 
serving as track captain for the U.S. Paralympic Track and Field team, 
inspiring both first-time and veteran athletes. Mr. Nitz has an 
accomplished athletic record: He won the Gold in the 100m event in 
1992, 1996, and 2000 and broke the 100m world record during the 2012 
Swiss Series. This year, I am proud to announce that he brought home 
the bronze in the 100m. Equally commendable, Mr. Nitz works in his 
community--as an employee of the Hartford Insurance Group--to 
positively change public perception regarding disability. In addition 
to his impressive athletic achievements, through his efforts at the 
Hartford, he has led great strides across the Nation in dispelling 
prejudice, misconception, and judgment.

[[Page S6678]]

  I also applaud the Hartford Insurance Group for their commitment to 
the Paralympic games: Since 2003, it has been a founding partner of the 
U.S. Paralympics, an official division of the U.S. Olympic Committee.
  Five-time Paralympian Scott Danberg calls Stamford his hometown, and 
Connecticut has been proud to follow him throughout his impressive 
athletic career. Recently, as a well-known and regarded member of the 
U.S. Paralympic track and field team, he competed in the men's discus 
event, throwing his personal best for this season in London. And this 
year he was nominated by his fellow track and field members and then 
chosen by a vote by the U.S. paralympic team as our Nation's flag 
bearer during opening ceremonies. He adds this tremendous honor to his 
past accomplishments, including the bronze at the 2011 IPC World 
Championships, the gold at the 2010 U.S. Paralympics Track & Field 
National Championships in both discus and shot put, and the silver in 
javelin at the 1998 Paralympic games.
  I hope that Connecticut's Paralympians can continue to promote 
international and national awareness and engagement and we can continue 
to come together as a nation, recognizing what unites us. Thank you for 
joining me in applauding our amazing American athletes and those around 
the world who have shown the athleticism, stamina, and national 
identity that transcends differences.

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