[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 16923]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                         HONORING KEVIN BRACKEN

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. WILLIAM O. LIPINSKI

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 27, 2000

  Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, today I honor Kevin Bracken, a native of 
Chicago, IL. Kevin, through many amazing feats of athletic prowess, has 
earned himself a place on the U.S. Olympic Greco-Roman wrestling team. 
He is the only member of the Greco-Roman team from Illinois, which 
consists entirely of first-year Olympians. This is truly a remarkable 
accomplishment, and I know he will represent his country with great 
pride, strength, and skill.
  Kevin grew up on the south side of Chicago, placing third in the 1990 
State Championships for St. Laurence High School. He then attended 
Illinois State University, where he was a three-time qualifier for the 
NCAA and received the 1994 Male Athlete of the Year award. Since those 
early achievements in his life, he has only gone forward, constantly 
surpassing expectations of all those around him, no matter how high 
set.
  His friends, family, and former teammates must be, and should be 
proud to witness what he has accomplished, and what he will certainly 
continue to accomplish in the future. Kevin is a credit to all those 
who have held faith in him, and through perseverance and extraordinary 
effort, he has earned his place among the elite of his profession.
  Mr. Speaker, I offer my congratulations to Kevin Bracken, and wish 
him the best of luck in his continuing career. I am sure he will 
continue to make them proud.

                          ____________________