[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 16318]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




HONORING PAUL MARTIN ON THE OCCASION OF HIS NOMINATION FOR ESPN'S 2005 
                               ESPY AWARD

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MARK UDALL

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 18, 2005

  Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. Speaker I rise today to honor Paul Martin, 
a world-class athlete whose story is one of admirable perseverance and 
inspiring optimism. This year, Paul was honored with a nomination for 
ESPN's 2005 ESPY award for best male athlete with a disability.
  Athletics has always been important to Paul. During his difficult 
childhood and his time spent in foster care, Paul sought refuge in 
sports, enjoying the attention that he was unable to find elsewhere. 
But it was not until many years later that Paul came to realize the 
vital role that athletics would play in his life.
  On December 12, 1992, at the age of 25, Paul Martin survived a car 
accident in which he lost the lower portion of his left leg. What, to 
some, might have been an insurmountable challenge, Paul credits with 
changing his life, as he says, ``for the better.'' Following the 
accident, Paul considered himself lucky to be alive and made the choice 
to pursue his happiness even in the face of adversity.
  Within two years, he began competing again, winning the gold in the 
1500 event in the National Amputee Track and Field Championships. 
Buoyed by his success, Paul continued to participate in a wide variety 
of athletic competitions, amassing an extensive list of athletic 
accomplishments, including the 1997 U.S. Olympic Committee's Disabled 
Athlete of the Year award and a new national record at the 2004 lronman 
USA competition at Lake Placid. Over the years, Paul has participated 
in national and international hockey, skiing, cycling, and track and 
field events.
  Most recently Paul Martin set a new world record at the 2005 Ironman 
USA at Coeur D'Alene and also brought home silver and bronze medals 
from the 2004 Paralympic Games in Athens. These accomplishments, as 
well as his many prior years of athletic competition, have earned him a 
nomination for this year's ESPY awards.
  Currently, Paul is continuing his athletic training for a number of 
events in the upcoming year. When he is not competing, Paul speaks to a 
variety of audiences, sharing his optimistic outlook with others.
  Paul's impressive record is a tribute to his status as a truly 
outstanding athlete, but it is also a tribute to his dedication, 
athleticism, and love of life. I ask my colleagues to join me in paying 
tribute to Paul Martin.

                          ____________________