[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 13301-13302]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 MELANIE ROACH: INSPIRATIONAL OLYMPIAN

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. DAVID G. REICHERT

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 20, 2008

  Mr. REICHERT. Madam Speaker, I rise today in order to congratulate my 
constituent, Melanie Roach, for her resiliency while earning a place on 
the United States weightlifting team for the 2008 Summer Olympic Games 
in Beijing. Her story is a wonderful example of the power of the human 
spirit and she will no doubt represent her family, community and 
country well throughout the entire 17-day competition.
  Before qualifying for the games this summer, Melanie was on the verge 
of making her way to Sydney, Australia for the 2000 Olympic Games when 
an injury shattered her Olympic aspirations. Instead of wallowing in 
self-pity, Melanie threw herself into the role of mother to her three 
children, supportive spouse to her husband, a State legislator in 
Washington, and started a business. However, she could not shake the 
desire to compete athletically and worked tirelessly to get back to an 
Olympic level and compete with the best lifters in the world.
  She is one of only four women to qualify for the team and at 33 years 
old, she is the oldest member of the U.S. weightlifting team, and yet 
the youngest at heart. She will travel to Beijing prior to the August 
8, 2008, opening ceremonies and will bring the pride of her family and 
friends, her community and the State of Washington, and all the people 
of the United States of America. Melanie is an inspiration to all and I 
wish her the best in Beijing and safety in her travels.

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