[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 13]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 18466]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                              JOEY HAGERTY

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. TOM UDALL

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 10, 2008

  Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. Madam Speaker, for Joey Hagerty, one of my 
constituents from the City of Rio Rancho, this year has been the best 
of times, and it has been the worst of times.
  In March, Joey's dad was in a terrible car accident.
  Like any other son in a similar situation, Joey found himself 
traveling back and forth between his work and his family's home, where 
his father was slowly recuperating. Unlike most of America's sons, 
however, Joey's work was at the U.S. Olympic Training Center. While his 
father was healing, Joey was training to be an Olympian.
  Joey kept up his training even as he helped comfort his father. In 
June, Mike Hagerty got to watch his son qualify for the Beijing 
Olympics. Last month, he saw something he never thought he would see. 
Mike watched his son help propel the U.S. Olympic gymnastics team to a 
bronze medal.
  Joey showed a commitment--to family and to excellence--that should 
inspire all of us. He represents the true spirit of the Olympics.
  I rise today to honor Joey Hagerty, the first Olympian from Rio 
Rancho, a talented athlete and a devoted son.

                          ____________________