[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 15]
[Senate]
[Page 21268]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                      OLYMPIC SWIMMER B.J. BEDFORD

 Mr. GREGG. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize and honor 
B.J. Bedford, a gold medalist for the 2000 United States Olympic Swim 
Team and originally from the town of Hanover in my home state of New 
Hampshire. B.J. has been a competitive swimmer in national standings 
for years. She competed in the 1988 Olympic trials when she was just 15 
years old. After three Olympic trials and a successful 12 year career 
in domestic competition, B.J.'s hard work has paid off this year as she 
secured a spot on the U.S. Swim Team for the 2000 Summer Games.
  B.J.'s participation in the XXVII Olympiad certainly adds to a long 
and illustrious career in swimming. B.J. Bedford has qualified and 
competed in four Olympic trials, winning the 100 meter backstroke this 
year, set an American record in the 50 meter backstroke, and won seven 
U.S. National Titles in the 50, 100 and 200 meter backstroke and two 
gold medals for relays at the 1998 World Championships. On September 
23, 2000, B.J. Bedford became the holder of a new world record. 
Swimming the backstroke leg of the 4 x 100 meter medley relay, B.J. and 
three of her teammates won gold in Sydney and smashed the previously 
held world record by an incredible three seconds.
  Her outstanding work in the pool, along with her display of 
dedication to her sport and her country, have helped to make the U.S. 
Swim Team more successful than any other country at the Sydney Games. 
The United States won 33 medals in swimming, tying its highest total 
since 1984. B.J. Bedford was an important part of this overall team 
victory, as her experience undoubtedly made her a leader in the pool. 
B.J.'s athleticism, drive and determination have allowed her to claim 
her place in history. She has made both New Hampshire and the country 
proud, and I am confident that B.J. will be successful in all that she 
chooses to do.
  I would like to congratulate B.J. for her fine work at the Olympics, 
for the excitement that she brought to Americans this summer, and for 
her gracious representation of the United States. She is a positive 
role model that will be looked up to by younger swimmers, and for that, 
she should be proud. We wish her nothing but the best in all of her 
future endeavors.

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