[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 152 (Wednesday, September 12, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1233]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING LOUISE ROURKE AND BRIDGET SIMPSON FOR THEIR SWIM TO FIGHT 
                                 POLIO

                                  _____
                                 

                         HON. ELISE M. STEFANIK

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 12, 2018

  Ms. STEFANIK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and recognize Louise 
Rourke and Bridget Simpson, who swam across Lake George to raise 
awareness and funds for polio.
  Hailing from Queensbury, New York, Louise Rourke is a 64-year-old 
polio survivor. Diagnosed at only 6 months old, she underwent multiple 
corrective surgeries and wore a metal leg brace as a child. Despite 
these challenges, Louise was committed to living an active and healthy 
lifestyle, and pursued her love of swimming during her youth at her 
family's vacation home in Lake George.
  Later in her life, Louise met Bridget Simpson, a long-distance 
swimmer who swam across Lake George solo in 2017. The two immediately 
became friends, both inspired by the other's story. Bridget began 
coaching Louise on her swimming techniques and encouraged her to pursue 
her own long-distance swim. The duo decided on a relay swim across Lake 
George, alternating swimming five to six miles at a time.
  Swimming in support of polio research, Louise and Bridget started in 
Lake George Village at 6:30 a.m. on June 30, 2018, and completed the 
32-mile relay across the lake to Diane's Rock in Ticonderoga in under 
24 hours. Through their inspiring story, Louise and Bridget raised 
$20,000 to help Rotary International's initiative to eliminate polio. 
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation matched these funds 2-to-1, 
totaling to a whopping $60,000 toward the eradication of polio.
  I am so proud of Louise's motivation and success in completing her 
goal, and of Bridget's dedicated mentorship. On behalf of New York's 
21st District, I want to give Louise Rourke and Bridget Simpson my 
utmost praise and thanks for their dedication to eradicating polio.

                          ____________________