[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 121 (Thursday, July 25, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Page S5509]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                        REMEMBERING TAMAYO PERRY

 Mr. SCHATZ. Mr. President, last month, Hawai`i tragically lost 
a true surfing legend in Tamayo Perry.
  Tamayo was many things: a renowned surfer, an accomplished actor, a 
beloved lifeguard, a man of deep faith, and a cherished neighbor. Born 
in the small town of Hau`ula on Oahu, Tamayo was an audacious waterman 
whose dexterity in surfing and understanding of the sea was second to 
none. He turned his passion into a profession at a young age through a 
combination of grit, focus, and commitment that enabled him to overcome 
any challenge he faced in the water. Accolades and awards soon followed 
at the Pipeline Masters and elsewhere as he competed against the 
world's very best surfers.
  Later, following an accident that he described as a ``near-fatal 
experience,'' he turned his own brush with death into a teachable 
moment for young surfers in Honolulu, instilling in them surfing 
etiquette and safety. His lessons have and will continue to help save 
countless lives.
  As an actor, Tamayo was known for roles in movies like Pirates of the 
Caribbean and Blue Crush. But even as he found fame globally, he never 
lost touch with his roots in Hawai`i. Those who knew him back home saw 
someone with immense skill and drive, with positivity and grace to 
match. They saw someone who was extraordinarily generous and loving, 
right to the very end--and they loved him dearly in return. For them 
and his ohana, Tamayo's untimely death is devastating, eased only by 
knowing that he spent his final moments where he was happiest: in the 
water.
  I join everyone in Hawai`i and around the world in mourning Tamayo's 
loss. May his memory be a blessing.

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