[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 2]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 2555-2556]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 TRIBUTE TO DEREK PARRA, CHAMPION SPEEDSKATER FOLLOWING THE CONCLUSION 
   OF HIS PARTICPATION IN THE WINTER OLYMPICS AND IN ADVANCE OF HIS 
                               RETIREMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JOE BACA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 2, 2006

  Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, Americans have watched with great pride as our 
athletes have taken part in the 2006 Winter Olympics in Torino. The 
greatness of the Olympics comes from the spirit of friendly 
international competition, and we are inspired by our athletes as they 
strive for excellence and represent our country with honor. During the 
Games, not only have we seen amazing athletic accomplishments--but also 
we have learned about the lives of the athletes away from the arena, as 
they dedicated themselves to their training and preparation, made 
sacrifices, overcame challenges, celebrated victories, and sometimes 
suffered through defeat.
  Among the many stars of America's Olympic team, one shines 
particularly bright to the people of my District and to me personally: 
speedskater Derek Parra.
  Derek grew up on the west side of San Bernardino, California with his 
father Gilbert and his brother. He attended Roosevelt Elementary and 
Eisenhower High School in Rialto. In fact my son, Joe Baca, Jr., went 
to school with him, and I attended church with Derek's father, Gilbert 
Parra, at St. Catherine's in Rialto.
  Southern California's Inland Empire is wonderful place for children 
to grow up and to get involved in sports, but with the sunny climate, 
it is hardly a winter sports haven. So not surprisingly, Derek grew up 
roller skating not ice skating. He first learned to skate at the 
Stardust Roller Rink in Highland, where he was an inline skater. Derek 
first set foot on ice when he was 17 years old and was 26 when he 
switched from inline skating to ice skating in 1996 to pursue his 
Olympic dreams.
  Derek was determined, focused and relentless in this pursuit. Even 
among his fellow athletes in a demanding sport, he was respected for 
the work ethic that made him an Olympic hero.
  Four years ago, I rose to honor Derek after his amazing performance 
at the 2002 Games in Salt Lake City. At those Games, he won a gold 
medal in the 1,500-meter race and a silver medal in the 5,000-meter 
race, breaking the previous world records for both distances.
  Derek Parra was the first Mexican American to ever participate in the 
Winter Olympics, let alone win a medal. Derek also carried proudly the 
flag of the United States in the opening ceremonies at Salt Lake.
  Since those exciting days four years ago, a lot has changed in 
Derek's life. He made great sacrifices in his personal life to continue 
his Olympic dreams. He moved away from loved ones in Florida to 
continue his training in Utah. While some athletes are able to 
concentrate solely on their sport, Derek has continued to work part-
time in order to pay the bills. And he has experienced the breakup of 
his marriage. Additionally, Derek is now 35, which is young for most of 
us but old for a champion skater.
  Yet, through all the challenges both on and off the ice, Derek earned 
a spot on the 2006 Olympic team and the opportunity to again represent 
the United States. He skated in two events: the team pursuit 
competition and the 1,500-meter race, in which he had set a world 
record on his way to gold 4 years ago. This time, however, he did not 
match his success in the 2002 Games--no medals, no world records.
  Instead, Derek skated for the joy of competition and the thrill of 
representing his country on the world stage one more time. He skated 
for his daughter, Mia Elizabeth, who turned 4 years old in December, 
with the hope that she will remember watching him race against the 
world's best. He skated because he loves to skate and because he is 
proud to be an American athlete.
  Having accomplished his goals, Derek is ready to retire next month, 
following a competition in the Netherlands. Quietly, a world away from 
his glorious achievements of 2002, he will hang up his skates and end 
his competitive career.
  But Derek Parra will not be forgotten. His story will continue to 
inspire young people, those who dream of Olympic gold and more 
generally those who have big ambitions despite long odds against them. 
He has broken down barriers in his striving for greatness--and he has 
done it all with determination and dignity.
  Thank you, Derek, for allowing us to share in your dreams for so 
long. With great appreciation and admiration I repeat what I said 4 
years ago: San Bernardino is proud of you. Mexican Americans are proud 
of you. All Americans are proud of you. You are our hero. God bless 
you.

[[Page 2556]]



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