[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 138 (Friday, September 6, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E866]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    CELEBRATING OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST AND WRESTLING CHAMPION SARAH 
                              HILDEBRANDT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. RUDY YAKYM III

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 6, 2024

  Mr. YAKYM. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize and celebrate Olympic 
Gold Medalist and wrestling champion Sarah Hildebrandt, who brought 
home the gold in the women's wrestling freestyle 50-kilograms event at 
the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France.
  Growing up in Granger, Indiana, and a proud 2011 graduate of Penn 
High School where she wrestled all four years, Sarah's achievements in 
the sport of wrestling are almost too numerous to list. Prior to coming 
to Paris this summer, Sarah could claim being a two-time world bronze 
medalist, a two-time world silver medalist, and an Olympic bronze 
medalist from the Tokyo Summer Games as just a few of her many 
accolades. With her win over Cuba's Yusneylis Guzman Lopez in the 50-
kilogram weight class women's freestyle final on August 7, 2024, Sarah 
is now also just the fourth woman to win gold in wrestling for Team USA 
in history.
  Upon winning the gold this summer, Sarah reflected, ``this gold medal 
is for everyone who has ever faced a setback or felt like giving up. 
It's proof that with hard work, determination, and a little bit of 
faith, anything is possible.'' Sarah's determination and persistence 
have inspired so many around the world, especially but not limited to 
those in the sport of wrestling.
  I have always found it fitting that the Summer Olympics take place in 
the same year as our U.S. presidential elections. While Americans are 
often divided politically, every four years the Summer Olympics afford 
us an opportunity to unite around our love of country and be united in 
pride and admiration for athletes like Sarah who represent our Nation 
on the world stage so well.
  I thank Sarah for bringing a healthy dose of Hoosier pride to Paris 
this summer. I congratulate her on her incredible athletic 
achievements, both at this summer's Olympics and throughout her 
impressive, decorated career. I and so many others look forward to 
seeing what she will continue to accomplish going forward. May God 
bless.