[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 14]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 19393]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 RECOGNIZING OLYMPIAN MELISSA MORRISON

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. ROBIN HAYES

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 23, 2004

  Mr. HAYES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Kannapolis, North 
Carolina native Melissa Morrison. I want to congratulate Melissa for 
her Bronze medal in the 100 meter hurdles at the 2004 Athens Olympics.
  Melissa started running track in the seventh grade because a cousin, 
April Graham, made it look easy and fun. A few short years later 
Melissa was running track for A.L. Brown High School, and collecting 
four state titles in the process. She next attended Appalachian State 
University earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology, and 
receiving All-American honors in both the 55 and 100 meter hurdles.
  Melissa's first Olympic experience was at the 2000 Sydney, Australia 
games. In Sydney, Melissa was the only American woman to win a medal in 
the 100 meter hurdles, winning bronze with a time of 12.76 seconds in 
the final. With her Athens repeat this year, Melissa became the only 
two-time American medalist in the 100 meter hurdles.
  In the last couple of years Melissa has fought through serious 
adversity, including nagging injuries and personal tragedy. However, 
through unyielding determination and support from her loved ones, she 
never gave up. In the race where Melissa captured her second Olympic 
medal, she exemplified her never quit attitude. Melissa collided with 
two hurdles but continued to fight on. In fact, she addressed these 
hardships and gave us insight to her strong character by saying, 
``Mental strength got me through there and got me a bronze medal again 
this year.''
  Mr. Speaker, while I have only touched on a fraction of her 
accomplishments, I proudly join her friends, family, and teammates in 
congratulating Melissa's outstanding athletic achievements. I wish 
Melissa continued success both on and off the track, and would also 
like to congratulate her on the forthcoming marriage to fiance Josephus 
Howard.

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