[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 131 (Friday, September 28, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1664-E1665]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      A TRIBUTE TO HONOR JOE WISE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ANNA G. ESHOO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 28, 2012

  Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor an exceptional young 
man for his outstanding performance at the 2012 London Paralympics. Joe 
Wise is a tenacious athlete, a brilliant student and a dedicated son. 
Despite being diagnosed at age nine with mitochondrial myopathy--a 
severe muscular disorder affecting his legs, hips, core muscles and 
lungs, and was told by his doctors that he may not reach his fifteenth 
birthday--Joe Wise has never given up on his dreams of living an 
extraordinary life. Joe is an enthusiastic and energetic nineteen year 
old from Menlo Park, California, who with a passion for swimming was 
selected to represent the U.S. Paralympics swim team at the 2012 London 
Paralympics.
  Joe's dedication to swimming began the same year he was diagnosed, 
and although he suffered from allergies and asthma, his mother insisted 
he swim to improve his health. It wasn't until a fellow swimming mate, 
Kelly Crowley, introduced him to the Paralympic Games that Joe began to 
aspire to compete.

[[Page E1665]]

 In 2004, he competed in the trials for the Athens Paralympics in 
Minneapolis, but did not make the team. Instead of giving up, Joe tried 
again at age fifteen and was successful, competing in one event at the 
2008 Beijing Paralympics. His goal after Beijing was to make it to 
London, but this time he wanted to compete in multiple events.
  Joe's strength and perseverance was tested once again in February of 
2012 when he was preparing for the 2012 London trials. His health 
forced him to take a medical withdrawal from college and pause from 
swimming. His ``times'' got slower, his heart continued to weaken, and 
he began spending more time on the ventilator. Joe's doctors and 
coaches refused to give in and vowed to get him to London. By early 
May, Joe's condition drastically improved and in June he tried out and 
earned a place on the team.
  All of Joe's time, effort and hard work paid off as he competed in 
five Paralympic events: the 200-meter individual medley; the 100-meter 
butterfly; the 100- and 400-meter freestyle; and the 100-meter 
breaststroke. He finished fifth in the finals of the 400-meter 
freestyle race, with a personal best time of 4:15.66. Joe is extremely 
proud of his results and says the victory was in being selected for the 
team. Joe has now returned to Loyola University, Maryland, to pursue a 
degree in political science, with a minor in communications. He intends 
to continue swimming and will be preparing for Rio 2016.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that the entire House of Representatives join me 
in honoring this brave and gentle young man. Joe is determined to reach 
for gold. He's not only won us over with his smile and spirit, he has 
also won our hearts with his courage and can-do attitude. Joe is deeply 
loved and supported by his community of family and friends, and his 
secret weapon is his mother, Marie Wise. Joe is an inspiration to us 
all and it is a high privilege to represent him and his family, and pay 
tribute to him and his extraordinary accomplishments.

                          ____________________