[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 143 (Wednesday, September 21, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Page S5955]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          TRIBUTE TO MISSISSIPPI'S OLYMPIANS AND PARALYMPIANS

 Mr. WICKER. Mr. President, today I wish to congratulate the 
Mississippians who competed in the Olympics and Paralympics in Rio de 
Janeiro, Brazil. They have indeed made us proud.
  One of our Olympic all-stars--Tori Bowie--came home with a complete 
set of medals, earning bronze, silver, and gold in track-and-field 
events. Tori is from Sandhill, a community in Rankin County, and 
attended the University of Southern Mississippi. She earned her bronze 
medal in the 200-meter, her silver in the 100-meter, and her gold in 
the 4x100-meter relay.
  Another track-and-field star, Sam Kendricks, also made news headlines 
for both his bronze medal in pole vault and a powerful moment of 
patriotism. During the qualifying round, the second lieutenant in the 
Army Reserve stopped sprinting during his pole vault attempt to stand 
at attention when he heard ``the Star-Spangled Banner.'' Sam is from 
Oxford and attended the University of Mississippi.
  Gulfport native Brittney Reese made history at the 2012 London games, 
where she became the first American woman to win a gold medal in long 
jump in more than 20 years. She did not leave Rio empty-handed. The 
six-time world champion and Ole Miss alumna earned a silver medal in 
her third Olympics.
  Rounding out Mississippi's roster was Ricky Robertson of Hernando, a 
former track-and-field star at the University of Mississippi who 
competed in high jump at his first Olympics.
  For 10 other athletes, the road to Rio went through Mississippi. 
These talented individuals have made our State home as alumni, 
students, or coaches at our universities. Congratulations are in order 
for Gwen Berry, Mateo Edward, Marta Freitas, Antwon Hicks, Anaso 
Jobodwana, Mariam Kromah, Brandon McBride, Raven Saunders, Khadijah 
Suleman, and Michael Tinsley.
  Following the Olympics, Mississippians again turned to Rio to cheer 
for our local all-stars in the 2016 Paralympic Games. Charlie 
Swearingen from Gulfport competed on the sitting volleyball team, which 
finished eighth. He joined two-time Paralympians Joey Brinson from 
Florence and Shaquille Vance from Houston, who had earned a silver 
medal in 2012. Joey finished ninth in his category of wheelchair 
fencing, and Shaquille finished fourth in the men's T42 200-meter run.
  The Olympics and Paralympics are an inspiring showcase of 
international goodwill and sportsmanship. These Mississippians have 
represented us well on the world stage, and I have no doubt they will 
continue to succeed in their future endeavors.

                          ____________________