[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 16]
[Senate]
[Page 21404]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO MELANIE OUDIN

  Mr. ISAKSON. Mr. President, this is a happy tribute to a young lady 
by the name of Melanie Oudin. Melanie is 17 years old. She was born in 
my hometown of Marietta, GA. She has a pair of tennis shoes that have 
the word ``believe'' on them. She started competing in tennis years 
ago. She was thought to be pretty good, so her parents--from the 
seventh grade on--home schooled her so she would have enough time every 
day to practice.
  Were they ever correct. As I am sure the President knows, a few weeks 
ago, at Wimbledon, this amazing young lady--17 years old, 5-foot-6--
took on the world of tennis and moved through the fourth round at 
Wimbledon. Along the way, she beat none other than the former world No. 
1, Jelena Jankovic. She made all the newspapers and all the sports 
shows.
  But was she a flash in the pan? No. What happened this last couple of 
weeks in New York City at the U.S. Open proved this girl is the real 
deal because she advanced this time to the quarter finals, again 
defeating top-seeded players and former No. 1 players such as Maria 
Sharapova and Elena Dementieva, both outstanding players who lost to 
this little 5-foot 6-inch powerhouse from Marietta, GA.
  She did lose in the quarter finals, but she will eventually get to 
the top because she believes, she is committed, she is dedicated, and 
she has the support and love of a great family. She leaves soon to play 
in the Bell Challenge in Quebec City. She will probably move from 70th 
in the world to about 45th in the world.
  Mr. President, I am confident with her dedication and commitment, she 
will soon rise to No. 1. I pay tribute to the First Lady of my 
hometown, the tennis player of great renown, Ms. Melanie Oudin.

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