[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 12947]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


[[Page 12947]]

    TRIBUTE TO MS. ASHLY HUNTER AND MS. LAURA JANE AMODEI ON THEIR 
          PARTICIPATION IN THE INTERNATIONAL SPECIAL OLYMPICS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. FRANK MASCARA

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 15, 1999

  Mr. MASCARA. Mr. Speaker, I would like to honor two special 
constituents in my district who are the epitome of strength, 
determination, and selflessness, Ms. Ashly Hunter and Ms. Laura Jane 
Amodei.
  I am proud to announce that Ashly Hunter will compete in swimming 
when the International Special Olympics convenes June 26 through July 4 
in Raleigh/Durham, NC, where she will swim the 25-meter breaststroke 
and the 50-meter backstroke. This is a dream for her that has been 20 
years in the making.
  Many people helped Ashly make her dream come true. In addition to her 
parents, Ashly's coach, Ms. Laura Jane Amodei, is also paramount to 
Ashly's success. Ms. Amodei has also been selected as an alternate 
coach to this year's games after dedicating over 20 years to the 
Special Olympics as a coach for the Mon Valley Swimming team of 
Washington Valley. Those who know Ms. Amodei and those fortunate enough 
to have been coached by her say she inspires her athletes to achieve 
maximum individual performance. Indeed, Ms. Amodei has enabled Ashly to 
master the very backstroke and breast stroke techniques that won her 
the right to compete in this year's games. It is this dedication and 
selflessness of special Americans such as Ms. Laura Jane Amodei that 
should inspire all of us to be the best citizens we can be.
  Ms. Hunter won the right to compete in the International Games after 
a series of local, regional, and State victories, where she compiled an 
amazing 101 victories, including 56 gold, 31 silver, and 14 bronze. She 
will become the first Mon Valley resident to attend the International 
Special Olympics after competing for 15 years in the Washington County 
Special Olympics.
  Whether Ashly is cheering the California University Vulcans 
basketball team on to victory, exploring her love of music and dance, 
or bike riding with her parents, who she inspired to become certified 
aquatic coaches, Ashly's love of life and people burns brightly. Her 
grit serves as testament to the joy and wonder of life to those around 
her. Needless to say, we, in the 20th District of Pennsylvania, are 
extremely proud of Ms. Hunter's fine accomplishments and the person she 
inspires us to be.
  Mr. Speaker, I know the entire House of Representatives joins me in 
saluting the hard work and dedication of Ms. Ashly Hunter and Ms. Laura 
Jane Amodei and wishing them the best of luck at this year's 
International Special Olympics.

                          ____________________