[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 7]
[Senate]
[Page 9702]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




           10TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE OHIO RIVER WAY PADDLEFEST

  Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the Ohio River 
Way, a nonprofit, volunteer-led organization working to promote, 
protect and celebrate the natural beauty and recreational benefits of 
the Ohio River.
  This year is the 10th anniversary of the Annual Ohio River Way 
Paddlefest, the largest paddling event in the country. Each year, 
Paddlefest attracts more than 2,000 paddlers to Cincinnati to canoe and 
kayak down the Ohio River and enjoy the gorgeous natural resources in 
Southwest Ohio. I have been a regular participant in the canoe races as 
part of Paddlefest and plan to participate again this year.
  Due in no small part to the efforts of the Ohio River Way and the 
widespread popularity of Paddlefest, Greater Cincinnati has been 
designated as the Paddling Capital of The United States. Cincinnati 
enjoys a great selection of paddling-friendly waterways including the 
Ohio, Great Miami, Little Miami, Whitewater and Licking Rivers as well 
as the Four Mile, Caesar, Stonelick, O'Bannon, Indian and White Oak 
Creeks. Additionally, Cincinnati is home to the largest number of 
paddling-access points with more than 25 places to launch canoes and 
kayaks.
  I congratulate the Ohio River Way on the 10th anniversary of 
Paddlefest and thank Paddlefest chair Brewster Rhodes and the 
hardworking volunteers of the Ohio River Way for the tireless work they 
do each year to ensure that Paddlefest is an enjoyable experience for 
all participants.

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