[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 156 (Friday, September 10, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E969-E970]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       COMMEMORATING OLYMPIC SILVER MEDALIST RICHARD TORREZ, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. DEVIN NUNES

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 10, 2021

  Mr. NUNES. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 
accomplishments of Richard Torrez Jr., who earned a silver medal at the 
2020 Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan.
  Born on June 1, 1999, Mr. Torrez was raised in Tulare, California. He 
developed a love for boxing at a young age, following in the footsteps 
of his grandfather as well as his father Richard Torrez Sr., who 
competed in the 1984 Olympic Boxing Trials. As a child, Mr. Torrez was 
mesmerized by the Olympic games and dreamed of one day winning a medal 
for the United States.
  Mr. Torrez grew up in the boxing gym his father owns and operates, 
Tulare Athletic Boxing Club. Learning discipline and commitment, he 
quickly became an elite boxer. Family always remained at his core. His 
father, to this day, remains one of his coaches.
  Graduating from Mission Oak High School in 2017, Mr. Torrez was 
considered one of the most accomplished students of his graduating 
class. He was president of the school's chess club and involved in the 
robotics team. He was also a varsity member of the football, 
basketball, and track teams. Mr. Torrez capped off his high school 
career as valedictorian of his graduating class.
  Fighting as a super heavyweight, Mr. Torrez placed fifth at the 2019 
Elite World Championships, third at the 2019 Pan American Games, and 
first at the 2020 Boxam Tournament. He has successfully competed in 
many other tournaments as well, but reaching the Olympics have always 
been his biggest goal.

[[Page E970]]

  Mr. Torrez earned the right to represent the United States as a super 
heavyweight boxer at the 2020 Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan. His 
years of disciplined training were evident from his first fight, 
becoming the first American to vie for the super heavyweight gold medal 
since Riddick Bowe in 1988 at the Seoul Olympic Games. He made the 
United States proud by earning the silver medal.
  Through his accomplishments, Mr. Torrez brought great pride to his 
hometown. Hundreds of people gathered in various places in Tulare to 
watch his fights. Signs supporting him were placed on most streets. He 
joins two other Tulare residents, Bob Mathias and Sim Iness, as the 
city's Olympic medalists.
  All of America is proud of Richard Torrez Jr. His impact on U.S. 
boxing and his Central Valley community will be long remembered.

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