[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 15519]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


A TRIBUTE HONORING BOXING EXTRAORDINAIRE JAVIER MOLINA FROM THE CITY OF 
  COMMERCE AS HE PREPARES TO COMPETE AT THE SUMMER OLYMPICS IN BEIJING

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                       HON. LUCILLE ROYBAL-ALLARD

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 21, 2008

  Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and 
commend an exceptionally gifted boxer from the City of Commerce in the 
34th Congressional District as he embarks on his trip to the Games of 
the XXIX Olympiad in Beijing as a member of the U.S. Boxing Olympic 
Team.
  At 5 feet 9 inches tall and 141 pounds, 18-year-old Javier Molina is 
classified as a light welterweight in the boxing world. In August of 
last year, Javier qualified to join the U.S. Olympic team.
  Javier trains at the Commerce Boxing Club, operated by the City of 
Commerce, under the experienced guidance of Boxing Coach Roberto Luna. 
Javier and his twin brother, Oscar, have trained under Mr. Luna since 
they were 9 years old.
  Described by his coach as an intellectual and role model, Javier also 
excels in school. As a student at John Glenn High School in Norwalk, 
Javier earned a 3.8 grade point average while taking mostly honors 
courses.
  Madam Speaker, on behalf of the 34th Congressional District and the 
State of California, I ask my colleagues to please join me in 
congratulating Javier on his remarkable achievements and extending to 
him and his teammates our best wishes for a victorious trip to the 
Beijing Olympics. I can assure you, regardless of how he performs, 
Javier will always be a champion to his many devoted fans in the City 
of Commerce. He is among our hometown heroes, and we are very proud of 
him--in and out of the boxing ring.
  I would also like to submit for the record excerpts from an article 
that appeared in a boxing publication about Javier. It provides a more 
personal glimpse into the mindset of this dynamic young Olympian.

                [From the Sweet Science, Sept. 6, 2007]

           The Sweet Science Olympic Spotlight: Javier Molina

                          (By Ralph Gonzalez)

       Sometimes a song sums it all up for a person. For 17-year-
     old Javier Molina, it's Mexico's Frank Sinatra, Vicente 
     Fernandez, who spells it out for him in one of his classic 
     mariachi songs. ``No Me Se Rajar!'' (I Don't Know How To Back 
     Down) is a tune that reflects the macho culture that prevails 
     in Mexico.
       ``I like that song. It talks about never quitting, never 
     giving in,'' said Molina before receiving a special 
     commendation from the city of Commerce, CA. ``That's my 
     attitude inside the ring. I have no quit in me.''
       It's exactly that frame of mind that got the 17-year-old 
     where he is. The Commerce kid just earned the privilege of 
     representing the United States in the 2008 Olympics set to 
     take place in Beijing, China, in the 141 (light welterweight) 
     class. Molina won the Olympic trials held in Houston, Texas, 
     this past August 25th. He sports an impressive amateur record 
     of 111wins against 12 losses.
       ``I knew he had that special something when he first walked 
     into the ring. Sometimes you can tell right away,'' said 
     trainer Roberto Luna. Molina walked into the Commerce Boxing 
     Club at the age of 9 with his twin brother Oscar. ``He always 
     had the mentality of a winner. He and his brothers always 
     showed great ability.''
       It seems that boxing is encrypted into the DNA of the 
     Molina family. The father, Miguel, was a pro in Mexico with 
     two fights in his short career. Javier's older brother, 
     Carlos, is a highly regarded prospect with a 2-0 record. Luna 
     co-manages Carlos along with Israel Vazquez's manager Frank 
     Espinoza. Javier's twin brother, Oscar, is also a highly 
     touted amateur who reached the nationals as a 152 pounder. 
     ``We're going to try Oscar out for the Mexican national 
     team,'' said Luna.
       Molina discovered the importance of mental toughness at an 
     early age. ``I always trained real hard physically and 
     mentally. I fight with a lot of confidence,'' said Molina. 
     ``When I'm in the ring, I don't think of anybody as better 
     than me. When I get in there, I don't think about getting 
     tired or anything negative. I block everything out. I'm 
     really focused.''
       Luna believes Molina is destined for success regardless of 
     what field he chooses. ``He's very intellectual and humble,'' 
     said Luna. ``He's going to be a great role model. Whatever he 
     decides to do in life, he's going to make it.''

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