[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 13]
[Senate]
[Page 17062]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                              JESSICA LONG

 Ms. MIKULSKI. Mr. President, in a few weeks we are going to be 
cheering on our champion athletes at the Olympics in Athens, Greece. I 
rise today to tell America the unique and inspiring story of a 12-year-
old Marylander and record-breaking swimmer named Jessica Long.
  Jessica was born in Russia and adopted with her brother Joshua as an 
infant. Though Jessica has faced health difficulties and worn 
prosthetic legs since she was a little girl, she has always been on the 
move. She began swimming seriously several years ago, pushing off the 
wall of the pool with her knees, and using her upper body for the 
majority of her swimming strength. She has since set 11 National and 2 
Pan American records for disabled swimmers. Jessica is now going to 
compete in the 50-, 100-, and 400-meter freestyle events at the 
Paralympics Games in Athens.
  Jessica also finds time to just have fun and be a kid. She has been a 
cheerleader, plays with Barbies and music boxes, and has dreams of 
being a model or designer. I am confident that Jessica will accomplish 
her goals, whatever they may be.
  Jessica Long is a testament to triumph over adversity. She is strong 
in both body and spirit. I ask my colleagues to join me in saluting her 
spirit and wishing her the best of luck at the Athens 
Paralympics.

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