[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 134 (Wednesday, September 7, 2016)]
[House]
[Page H5110]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             CONGRATULATING OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST RYAN HELD

  (Mr. LaHOOD asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. LaHOOD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Springfield, 
Illinois, native Ryan Held on his Olympic gold medal for swimming at 
the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
  The 2016 Rio Games were Ryan Held's first Olympics, and he 
represented the United States in the 4 100 meter freestyle relay, along 
with Nathan Adrian, Caeleb Dressel, and Michael Phelps. Ryan took over 
for Phelps for the third leg of the freestyle relay. Ryan's fast split 
time of 47.73 seconds maintained the lead for the U.S. and helped the 
team swim to gold.
  I know I speak for everyone in Springfield when I say that we are 
very proud of Ryan Held. He represented his community, his State, and 
his country with the strength, speed, humility, and dignity befitting 
an Olympic champion.
  This past Friday, our hometown Olympian was warmly celebrated by the 
city of Springfield at Sacred Heart-Griffin, his alma mater, where 
hundreds from the community came out to congratulate him.
  Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner declared September 2, 2016, as Ryan 
Held Day during a ceremony at Sacred Heart-Griffin High School. I hope 
this day serves as a reminder to Ryan of our support and pride in him 
as he prepares for the rest of what will undoubtedly be a decorated 
swimming career.

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