[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 156 (Friday, September 10, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E964-E965]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING GOLD MEDALIST JOHN BOIE OF MILTON

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                            HON. BRYAN STEIL

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 10, 2021

  Mr. STEIL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor John Boie. A native 
of Milton, Wisconsin, John Boie competed for Team USA at the 2020 
Paralympics held this year in Tokyo, Japan. John was a member of Team 
USA's Wheelchair Basketball and helped lead the team to a gold medal 
victory in a 64-60 win over Japan. John and his teammates secured a 
gold medal for the United States at the second straight Paralympics for 
Men's Wheelchair basketball.
  During a preliminary game against Iran, John was the heart of Team 
USA's defensive effort turning 11 first half turnovers into 18 points. 
The win over Iran contributed to the team's 4-1 record in pool play 
allowing them to advance to the final knockout round at the 2020 
Paralympics Games. The team demonstrated strong chemistry, bolstered by 
a common thread with five players having ties to UW-Whitewater, 
including John himself. Together, the team competed in a thrilling gold 
medal matchup with the United States defeating Japan 64-60 in a come 
from behind win after trailing during the third quarter. In addition to 
scoring four points for Team USA, John's strong defensive effort 
throughout the game helped the United States secure victory.
  John's love for sports began at a young age. Despite suffering from 
an incomplete spinal cord injury after an accident involving a tractor, 
John continued to demonstrate a love for the game of basketball. John 
was introduced to wheelchair basketball after attending a wheelchair 
basketball summer camp at UW-Whitewater when he was eleven years old. 
John would go on to attend UW-Whitewater where he would become a three-
time collegiate wheelchair basketball champion. John would go on to win 
a silver medal during the 2018 World Championships.
  John represented the United States and Southeast Wisconsin with 
honor. He made both his country and community proud with his composure, 
talents, and determination. While this is his first gold medal, John's 
passion for success suggests that it won't be his last. I know 
Southeast Wisconsin will be backing him 100 percent in his future 
endeavors.
  John's perseverance through adversity helped lead to this historic 
success. I was proud to watch John represent Wisconsin and the United 
States on the world stage. On behalf of Wisconsin's First Congressional 
District, I would like to congratulate John on his tremendous 
accomplishment and wish him the best of luck.

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