[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 13]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 17822]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING BLAINE WILSON

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. PATRICK J. TIBERI

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, September 8, 2004

  Mr. TIBERI. Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate Blaine Wilson, 
member of the silver medal winning U.S. men's Olympic gymnastics team. 
During the Athens Olympics, Blaine, the most experienced member of the 
team, provided a strong leadership role to the team and helped the 
United States to its first men's gymnastics medal in 20 years. Blaine 
received the highest score on the still rings, his favorite event, to 
push the team from bronze to silver after falling to third for a short 
time.
  Blaine has been a U.S. all-around champion five times and Athens was 
the third Olympics in which he participated. Despite his familiarity 
with the Olympic games and competing under pressure, Blaine had an 
added setback to overcome. In February of 2004 during the American Cup 
competition, Blaine tore his biceps muscle while competing on the still 
rings. His determination and skill are highlighted in the struggle he 
met to compete and medal in Athens.
  Blaine was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio. He attended Columbus 
Gymnastics Academy, DeSales High School, and the Ohio State University, 
where he plans to complete his degree in Psychology after retiring from 
gymnastics.
  Again, I congratulate Blaine for all of his dedication and hard work 
and the achievements he has met both personally and with his team while 
representing our country on the world stage in Athens.

                          ____________________