[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 7]
[House]
[Page 10126]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



              RECOGNIZING THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF ALAN WEBB

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Tom Davis) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a young 
man from Virginia's Eleventh Congressional District, Alan Webb, a 
senior at South Lakes High School in Reston. Perhaps you have been 
reading about him in the newspaper.
  Mr. Speaker, it has been said that it takes many years to become an 
overnight success, and this is certainly the case with Alan Webb. I saw 
him for the first time compete in the Foot Locker Challenge in 
Charlotte, North Carolina, in 1999; and in the cross-country field he 
ran way ahead of the pack. He is an outstanding young man.
  But Alan achieved national recognition in May when he competed in the 
27th Prefontaine Classic at the University of Oregon. This is 
considered one of the premier races in the sport of track and field. 
Alan finished a remarkable fifth against some of the finest milers in 
the world. But even more remarkable, his time was 3 minutes 53 seconds, 
a new record for the high school mile.
  The previous high school mark of 3 minutes 55 seconds was set 35 
years ago in 1965 by my friend and colleague, the gentleman from Kansas 
(Mr. Ryun). Let us put that in perspective. An 18-year-old broke a 36-
year-old record in what many consider to be the most exciting event in 
track and field.
  His performance at the Prefontaine Classic electrified those in 
attendance. A large crowd anticipating Alan's record-breaking bid rose 
to their feet when Alan's name was announced. And their cheers were 
even more deafening when his time was posted at the race's end. He made 
no secret of the fact that he hoped to set the record at this event, 
putting an exclamation point on what was already an exceptional high 
school career. His accomplishment, in this sense, was Ruthian: He set 
the highest possible goal, and he achieved it.
  What is most commendable, perhaps, is the grace with which Alan has 
accepted his fame. He has said that he knows his mark will one day be 
broken as well. He has publicly recognized all those who have helped 
him reach such heights: family, friends, coaches, and teammates.
  As I noted earlier, Alan may have achieved new levels of public 
recognition by breaking the high school record, but the determination 
was evident long ago.
  On June 2, Alan joined his South Lakes teammates at the Virginia AAA 
Track and Field Championships at Virginia Commonwealth University in 
Richmond. They competed in the 4x4 relay, where Alan's team placed 
fourth. He also competed in the 800 meter race, shattering the State 
record in that event by 2 seconds, finishing in 1 minute 47 seconds.
  Alan will be attending the University of Michigan in the fall. He 
realizes that he has only a few weeks left in high school and is 
enjoying every moment. His down-to-earth demeanor has allowed him to 
keep his achievements in perspective, as fans and friends now ask for 
pictures and autographs. He looks forward to greater success in the 
future.
  Mr. Speaker, in closing, I ask my colleagues to join me in 
congratulating Alan. It is especially pleasing to have the gentleman 
from Kansas (Mr. Ryun) with me on the floor here today. I appreciate 
the class with which he has passed his torch to Alan, and I am sure 
Alan does as well.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Ryun).
  Mr. RYUN of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Virginia 
for recognizing Alan Webb. It is an honor to be a part of this, and I 
want to congratulate Alan's parents as well, Steve and Catherine; his 
brother, Chris; his coach, Scott. They have all participated in a plan 
that has been very successful.
  I met Alan about 3 years ago for the first time when he broke my 
then-sophomore record, and continued to watch his improvements along 
the way. He has developed his God-given talents to the fullest. He has 
a bright future, and he has also given our young people a role model. 
He has shown that hard work and dedication, those principles work, and 
with the right planning along the way, you can achieve great things.
  I had the opportunity to visit with Alan almost 3 years ago. I 
encouraged him at that time to surround himself with those people who 
believed, as he did, that it could be done. There are always people 
that say it cannot be done. He took my advice. My congratulations to 
him.
  Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, let me say to the gentleman 
from Kansas, I appreciate his being here today. For Alan and his family 
and all of his supporters in the South Lakes community and across the 
country, we join in this tribute today.

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