[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 17446]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                      TRIBUTE TO OLYMPIC ATHLETES

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 7, 2000

  Mr. FARR of California. Mr. Speaker, It is with great excitement that 
I rise today to honor four outstanding athletes from California's 17th 
District, Alvin and Calvin Harrison, Ramiro Corrales, and Ellen Wilson. 
These young Americans will be representing the United States of America 
in the Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia this September, and I am 
proud to congratulate them on their achievements.
  Seated twelfth and fifteenth when the trials began, twins Alvin and 
Calvin Harrison beat the odds on Sunday, July 16, 2000, in Sacramento, 
and came in second and fifth place in the 400 meters, becoming the 
first twins to reach the Olympics in the same event. Further, it is 
likely that they will become the first set of twins to run together in 
the 1600 meter relay. I am pleased that the Harrisons achieved this 
historic victory on their own, opting not to train with a track club in 
favor of training together in Salinas, California.
  Likewise, another Salinas native, Ramiro Corrales will be 
representing the United States as a defensive specialist on the United 
States' Olympic soccer team. Corrales is already extremely accomplished 
in major league soccer, having played for the San Jose Earthquakes, the 
Miami Fusion, and the New York Metro Stars. He is also well known in 
his league for his defensive prowess and talent.
  And finally, Ellen Wilson, a three-time medalist at the Pan American 
Judo Championships and Salinas resident, will compete in Sydney as a 
member of the United States judo team. Wilson is ranked number one in 
judo in the United States and was a member of the World Team in judo in 
1997 and 1999. She has won 1,500 judo matches in her career, and we 
anticipate that she will come out victorious in Sydney.
  California's 17th District is proud to have these four young athletes 
representing the United States in this summer's Olympic Games. Salinas 
is delighted to be one of the only cities of its size to send so many 
wonderful athletes to the Games. It is truly a tribute to the community 
and to the families, coaches, and friends, that have supported these 
athletes to see them competing in such a renowned arena.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to wish these outstanding athletes good 
luck this September, and I am honored to congratulate them on their 
outstanding achievements.

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