[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 8]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 10818]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING JAVIER COLON, WINNER OF THE FIRST SEASON OF ``THE VOICE''

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 11, 2011

  Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, it is with the greatest pride that I rise 
today to extend my heartfelt congratulations to Stratford, 
Connecticut's native son, Javier Colon, the winner of the first season 
of television's ``The Voice.'' Javier has an extraordinary talent and I 
am honored to join his hometown community of Stratford in 
congratulating him on his success.
  Those who knew Javier as he was growing up in Stratford knew that he 
was destined for success. As a student at Bunnell High School, he was 
known as a performer--acting in many school plays and standing out in 
the choir. He pursued his dream as a singer-songwriter, attending the 
Hart Music School in West Hartford, Connecticut and playing locally--
solo at Starbucks in Bishop's Corner and fronting EmcQ at the Arch 
Street Tavern. He even self-produced an album last year. Javier took a 
risk when he auditioned for ``The Voice''--taking time off from the job 
he was holding to support his family--but it was a risk he had to take 
to realize his dream.
  In its first season ``The Voice,'' the NBC vocal competition, invited 
talent from across the country to compete on live television for a 
chance at a cash prize and recording contract. Javier was one of 
thousands who chose to audition and he battled his way through three 
additional stages of competition and in the end, his unique style and 
renditions of Cyndi Lauper's ``Time After Time,'' Ben E. King's ``Stand 
by Me,'' and Coldplay's ``Fix You'' won the hearts of the shows judges 
and the American public to become ``America's Voice.''
  Throughout the competition, Javier said that his inspiration was his 
two girls--that he was doing it for them, so that they could have a 
better life. As they grow older, they will certainly be proud of all 
that he has achieved. Javier has made us all proud. In fact, in 
Connecticut, week after week, hundreds would gather in bars, 
restaurants, and living rooms to cheer him on. His dedication to his 
singing and his commitment to the hard work it takes to succeed has 
inspired countless people, not only in Connecticut, but across the 
country to pursue their own dreams. Today, the Stratford community will 
gather to welcome him home and wish him well as he enjoys this 
remarkable achievement.
  I am honored to stand today to extend my sincere congratulations to 
Javier Colon, his parents, Migdalea and Pablo, as well as his wife, 
Maureen, and two daughters, Solana and Amaia. I can only imagine what a 
special time this must be for them and I wish them all the best for 
many more years of health, happiness, and success.

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