[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 114 (Tuesday, July 9, 2019)]
[House]
[Pages H5291-H5292]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     CONGRATULATING JOE DIETTERICK

  (Mr. VAN DREW asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. VAN DREW. Mr. Speaker, when Joe Dietterick was told by his 
guidance counselor that he should join the Vineland High School crew 
team, the Fighting Clan, he wasn't interested at first. But Joe, a 16-
year-old with cerebral palsy, isn't one to back down from a challenge. 
All he needed was one practice on the lake, pushing his boat through 
the water with his doubles partner, Jason Wheeler, to immediately fall 
in love with rowing.
  Joe and Jason went on to become Vineland High School's first adaptive 
boat to row in the Atlantic County rowing championships, and they also 
went on to compete in the Stotesbury Cup Regatta.
  Joe's perseverance and willingness to challenge himself is an 
inspiration to

[[Page H5292]]

his teammates; to his coach, Paul Myers; and to all who gave him the 
Most Courageous award at their team's award banquet. Joe says that the 
comradery and friendship that he has found with his teammates is what 
means the most to him.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Dietterick for being an important part of 
our community. He is an inspiration and he is a hero.

                          ____________________