[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 113 (Monday, June 30, 2025)]
[Senate]
[Page S4082]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO ALANA NICHOLS

 Mr. LUJAN. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize and share 
the inspiring story of Alana Nichols, a six-time Paralympic medalist 
across three sports and one of New Mexico's greatest athletes and 
advocates. Alana is being inducted into the New Mexico Sports Hall of 
Fame this year as part of the class of 2024 for her outstanding 
accomplishments. Alana grew up in Farmington, NM, and was an avid 
snowboarder throughout her youth. When she was 5 years old, her 
grandmother introduced her to T-ball which sparked her interest in 
sports, along with a competitive nature. Growing up, Alana played 
basketball, volleyball, and softball with hopes of playing for the 
University of New Mexico's softball team.
  Her story of resilience began at 17 years old when she sustained a 
spinal cord injury snowboarding. This traumatic event would leave her 
paralyzed from the waist down. In an instant, her life had changed 
forever, and the future she had in mind would be altered. Yet this 
moment was not the end of her athletic journey, it was the start of a 
new one.
  While studying at the University of New Mexico, Alana was introduced 
to wheelchair basketball. This gave her a spark of hope, and she 
quickly rose to become a member of the U.S. Women's Wheelchair 
Basketball Team in 2008, where she helped bring home gold at the 
Beijing Paralympics Games in 2008. She didn't stop there, going on to 
medal in alpine skiing at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Games and later 
representing Team USA in paracanoe at the 2016 Rio Games.
  Alana became the first American woman to win gold in both Summer and 
Winter Paralympic Games, she is a three-time gold medalist winner, a 
national leader in adaptive surfing and a passionate advocate for women 
and athletes with disabilities. Alana was inducted into the inaugural 
Superman Hall of Heroes in 2014, celebrating real-life heroes.
  Alana's journey is an incredible story of resilience and 
perseverance. I am honored to have the opportunity to share her 
experiences with you all today. We are very proud of Alana and the 
shining example she is for our State. We look forward to the wonderful 
things she will accomplish next.

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