[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 14]
[Senate]
[Page 20260]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                     IN RECOGNITION OF TOM WILKENS

 Mr. TORRICELLI. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize one 
of the truly gifted athletes of the state of New Jersey. It gives me 
great pleasure to extend my congratulations to Tom Wilkens on winning 
the bronze medal in the men's 2000 meter individual medley event at the 
XXVIIth Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia.
  Despite having asthma and a severe allergy to chlorine, Tom Wilkens 
has consistently performed as a champion. At the 1999 Pan Pacific 
Championships, he won a medal of each color, gold in the 200 meter 
individual medley, silver in the 200 meter breaststroke, and bronze in 
the 400 meter individual medley. To this impressive collection, he adds 
a bronze from the Games of the XXVIIth Olympiad.
  Tom Wilkens represents the best of New Jersey's athletes. His 
outstanding representation of New Jersey and the United States at these 
Olympic Games is a testament to the dedication that has afforded him 
success in the face of diversity.
  Through his efforts, Tom Wilkens has been able to achieve athletic 
greatness. His commitment to excellence serves as an inspiration and it 
is an honor for me to be able to recognize his accomplishments.

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