[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 162 (Monday, September 20, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E992]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING RODERICK TOWNSEND

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JERRY McNERNEY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 20, 2021

  Mr. McNERNEY. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in 
recognizing and celebrating Roderick Townsend for his record-breaking 
success at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. Born with nerve damage to 
his right arm and shoulder, Roderick's incredible journey overcoming 
adversity has demonstrated that perseverance and hard work can lead to 
great achievements.
  Roderick, a native of Stockton, California, graduated from Lincoln 
High School. He demonstrated his athletic prowess as a member of 
Lincoln High School's varsity football team, where he was selected as 
the 2009 team captain, as well as a San Jose Athletic Association first 
team defensive end and second team all-area player. Roderick later went 
on to attend San Joaquin Delta College, where he competed in the decath 
and high jump. During the 2012 season, he was selected as the Delta 
College Track and Field Team captain and was ranked seventh in the 
nation and second in the state of California for his high jump 
performances. He still holds the Delta College high jump record and 
Delta College Track Facility record. Roderick went on to graduate from 
Boise State University and then received his Master of Education from 
Northern Arizona University.
  Making his international debut at the Arizona Grand Prix in 2015, 
Roderick quickly made a name for himself on the international scene 
representing the United States in the World Championships in high jump, 
long jump, and triple jump. Roderick's years of hard work culminated in 
him being selected to compete in his first Paralympic Games in 2016 in 
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where he clinched double gold medals by winning 
both the long jump and high jump T47--setting Paralympic world records 
in both.
  Aspiring to reach even greater heights, Roderick competed in the 
Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games as a member of the United States 
Paralympics Track and Field Team. Once again having the honor to 
represent his country in the world's foremost athletic competition, 
Roderick set the Paralympic world record by leaping 2.15 meters in the 
men's high jump T47 and in doing so, earned his third gold medal to 
date. Additionally, he earned the silver medal and achieved his 
personal record of 7.43 meters in the men's long jump T47.
  Roderick also chose to put his years of experience to work serving 
the youth of his community as a track and field coach. He has coached 
at Delta College and Jim Elliott Christian High School in Lodi, 
California, and served as a sports performance coach at The Performance 
Project in Stockton. Roderick currently serves as a full-time assistant 
coach with the Northern Arizona University's Men's and Women's Track 
and Field program.
  Roderick serves as an example for young athletes across this country, 
demonstrating that no matter your circumstances, with hard work you can 
achieve greatness. I'm honored to recognize Roderick Townsend for his 
distinguished athletic achievements and ask my colleagues to join me in 
wishing him the best of luck in his future competitions.

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