[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 9]
[House]
[Page 12185]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       NATIONAL YOUTH SPORTS WEEK

  (Mr. McINTYRE asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. McINTYRE. Madam Speaker, as founder of the Congressional Caucus 
on Youth Sports, I rise to commemorate the National Youth Sports Week 
we celebrate and to recognize 50 million children who participate in 
youth sports.
  It is fitting this year that National Youth Sports Week falls on the 
eve of the Summer Olympic Games, because many Olympians, like Andy 
Roddick, Misty May-Treanor, Ryan Lochte, and Sanya Richards Ross, all 
began their careers as young athletes. Sports can make a difference in 
a child's life. Student athletes make better grades, they get in less 
trouble, and they are less likely to be obese. Sports can build 
character and teach values like sportsmanship, teamwork, civility, 
respect, and discipline.
  We cannot recognize the players without thanking the coaches and 
volunteers who mentor these kids, folks like my chief of staff, Dean 
Mitchell; my pastor, who is here today, Matt Rich, with whom my son 
Stephen has coached; and all the many others who give their time and 
their efforts to help our young people.
  Not all youth athletes grow up to be Olympians, but youth sports can 
shape the lives of all of us and make us better citizens, whatever our 
callings in life. May God grant that none of us are ever too busy to 
help a child.
  And I leave you with a final thought: Go Team USA!

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