[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 13]
[Senate]
[Page 17979]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                COMMENDING OLYMPIAN SHAWN MACHEL JOHNSON

  Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, today I honor an Iowan who has shown 
tremendous strength of spirit, as well as a fierce determination and 
world-class talent. Olympic gymnast Shawn Machel Johnson has been and 
continues to be a model of character and fitness, as well as a source 
of inspiration for all Americans.
  Shawn recently returned from Beijing, where she made us all very 
proud, competing in the 2008 Olympics and winning one gold and three 
silver medals. The gold medal was for her performance in the balance 
beam finals, while the silver medals were for the team competition, the 
women's all-around, and the floor individual finals.
  Since Johnson was 3 years old, she has exhibited a love for 
gymnastics, and received constant support and encouragement from her 
parents Teri and Doug Johnson, and coaches Liang Qiao and Liwen Zhuang. 
She is greatly admired and respected by her fellow gymnasts at Chow's 
Gymnastics and Dance in West Des Moines, where she has been training 
since she joined the facility at age 6. Her training and her strong 
commitment to the sport have propelled her to success in the series of 
competitions that led her to the Beijing Summer Olympics.
  In addition to her rigorous training of up to 25 hours per week, she 
has also excelled academically. She is now in her junior year at Valley 
High School in West Des Moines, and has been on the ``A'' Honor Roll. I 
believe very strongly that promoting fitness and providing quality 
education are both key factors in ensuring that children have a bright 
and successful future. Shawn Johnson is an inspiration to Iowa's young 
people to stay active, be studious, do what they love, and follow their 
dreams.
  I would like to congratulate Johnson for bringing home four Olympic 
medals and commend her for her outstanding commitment to the sport of 
gymnastics. I hope that she continues to pursue her passion and that we 
will see her endearing smile and more of her amazing performances in 
London in 2012.

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