[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 10]
[Senate]
[Page 14651]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




        TRIBUTE TO 2012 OLYMPIC BRONZE MEDALIST PAIGE McPHERSON

  Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize Paige McPherson 
of Sturgis, SD, who earned a bronze medal in Taekwondo at the 2012 
Olympic Games in London, England, this summer. Despite facing the 
popular British world champion in the first round of competition in 
London, Paige fought her way to the bronze medal in the women's 67-
kilogram division. Paige possesses an outstanding record of success in 
Taekwondo, beginning at a young age and, most recently, as a silver 
medalist at the 2011 Pan American Games. She was also a successful 
member of the U.S. National Team in 2009, 2010, and 2011.
  Growing up in Sturgis, Paige pursued excellence in many areas. Paige 
is a passionate dancer and an active member of her church, pursuits 
which, along with her family and friends, helped her accomplish the 
amazing feat of earning an Olympic medal. She graduated from Black 
Hills Classical Christian Academy in 2009, at which point she was 
already nationally recognized in Taekwondo, and went on to attend 
Miami-Dade College in Miami, FL. Some of her most notable awards 
include 2007 Outstanding Female Athlete at the Senior National 
Championships, 2008 Chris Canning Award of Excellence Winner, and 2009 
Outstanding Female Athlete at the USAT National Championships.
  Paige should be extremely proud of her remarkable accomplishments. I 
am more than happy to extend my congratulations on her Olympic medal 
and to offer congratulations on behalf of the State of South Dakota. We 
are extremely proud and wish her continued success in the years to 
come.

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