[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 13]
[Senate]
[Page 18113]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO JERMAIN TAYLOR

  Mrs. LINCOLN. Mr. President, I thank my colleagues for allowing me to 
take a few moments for an important recognition for Arkansans. Today I 
rise to pay tribute to two very distinguished Arkansans, first to the 
new and undefeated, undisputed middleweight champion of the world, 
Jermain Taylor.
  Jermain Taylors' skill in the boxing ring is only one reason for me 
to recognize him on the Senate floor. Jermain is one of boxing's rising 
young stars.
  He is known for his skill and his power in the ring, but he is also 
known for his grace and humility outside of the ring.
  On July 16, Jermain, a Little Rock native, thrilled the people of 
Arkansas when he stepped into a ring in Las Vegas, NV and took the 
middleweight championship of the world from Bernard Hopkins.
  Jermain's victory that night was the culmination of a lifetime of 
hard work and sacrifice that began when he was just a small boy. When 
Jermain was 5, he had to take on the responsibility of being the man of 
the house after his father left the family.
  Even at that young age, he took responsibility for his younger 
sisters without hesitation.
  At the age of 13, he made his way into Ozell Nelson's gym and, though 
he lost his first sparring session, he enjoyed the challenge and 
believed he would improve, and he could improve with hard work.
  He did, and in 1996 he won the U.S. Under 19 Championships. In 2000, 
he won a bronze medal while representing his country in the Olympic 
Games held in Sydney, Australia. Shortly thereafter he began his pro 
career.
  By all accounts and by every measure, Jermain Taylor is a great 
fighter, but he is an even better person. He has been described as 
humble, determined and one who knows that family comes first.
  In short, he embodies the best of what being an Arkansan is all 
about.
  He is a self described country boy with country values. Being an old 
farmer's daughter myself, I can vouch for the fact that there is 
nothing wrong with that.
  Thousands of Arkansans traveled to Las Vegas to support their local 
hero. Chants of J.T. and the calling of the hogs could be heard 
throughout the fight as Jermain outworked and outboxed his opponent.

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