[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 150 (Tuesday, August 24, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E919-E920]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING SUNISA (SUNI) LEE FOR HER ACHIEVEMENTS DURING THE 2020 TOKYO 
                            SUMMER OLYMPICS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, August 24, 2021

  Ms. McCOLLUM. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Sunisa (Suni) Lee 
for her achievements during the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympic games, which 
were held July 23 through August 8, 2021. At the age of 18, Ms. Lee 
made history in her Olympic debut as the first Hmong-American to 
represent the United States. She demonstrated outstanding skill and 
training, winning the gold medal in the women's gymnastics all-around, 
helping Team USA win a silver medal in the team final and winning the 
bronze medal in the uneven bars.
  Ms. Lee is a lifelong resident of Saint Paul, in Minnesota's Fourth 
Congressional District. I'm very proud to say that she's a graduate of 
South Saint Paul High School, my alma mater. She joined a remarkable 
group of 17 Minnesota athletes who qualified to compete for Team USA. 
Throughout the competition, she displayed a spirit and determination 
that boosted Team USA and their fans across the United States.

[[Page E920]]

  Born in 2003 to parents who came to the U.S. as refugees from Laos, 
Ms. Lee is accustomed to working hard and overcoming challenges. Just 
one day before leaving to compete in the 2019 U.S. gymnastics 
championship, her father and top cheerleader, Houa (John) Lee, became 
paralyzed in a tree trimming accident. Despite this tragedy, John 
encouraged Suni to go and compete. She went on to defy expectations and 
finish second in the gymnastics all-around, Since then, she has 
assisted her father in his recovery, along with her mother Yeev Thoj 
and her siblings, all while continuing her demanding schedule of 
academic studies and training. Her resilience and determination reflect 
the heart of an Olympian.
  In tribute to Ms. Lee's Olympic gold medal in the women's gymnastics 
all-around, Governor Tim Walz and Saint Paul Mayor Melvin Carter named 
Friday, July 30, 2021 as Sunisa Lee Day in Minnesota and Saint Paul. On 
August 8, a parade was held in her honor through her East Side Saint 
Paul neighborhood. Thousands of fans, family and friends gathered on 
White Bear Avenue to cheer on her victories and celebrating her 
achievements on behalf of Team USA.
  Throughout her life, Ms. Lee has been a positive force for her 
family, her community in Saint Paul, Minnesota and the United States. 
Her victory as the first Hmong-American to win Olympic gold in the all-
around gymnastics category is especially inspiring to Asian-American 
girls who see her as a role model who is capable of performing at the 
highest level on the global stage.
  Madam Speaker, please join me in honoring Sunisa Lee for her 
outstanding accomplishments, along with her incomparable talent, 
extraordinary commitment, and resilient spirit. We wish Ms. Lee well as 
she begins a new chapter as a student-athlete at Auburn University.

                          ____________________