[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 12617]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


              THE OPENING OF THE GAMES OF THE XXX OLYMPIAD

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. LAURA RICHARDSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 30, 2012

  Ms. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join the millions of 
athletes, coaches, fans, and families around the world who are eagerly 
anticipating the opening of the Games of the XXX Olympiad, which will 
be held in the City of London from July 27 through August 12, 2012.
  There is something special about the Olympic Games. Every four years 
the world's best athletes come together and engage in a spirited but 
friendly competition of athletic skill and grace. For two weeks the 
world will be treated to incredible athletic displays of speed, power, 
endurance, strength, and grace; heartwarming displays of courage under 
pressure; inspiring examples of sportsmanship and teamwork; and several 
surprising turns of events. Their performances will amaze and astound 
the world and be a source of pride to the nations they are privileged 
to represent.
  Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the 529 athletes making up the United 
States Olympic team. Like the men and women of the Armed Forces, they 
represent the best of our country. Their self discipline, willingness 
to sacrifice, commitment to excellence, and humility in victory make us 
all proud to be Americans.
  Mr. Speaker, for the first time in history the majority of athletes 
on Team USA is comprised of women. Team USA reflects the rich diversity 
of our country. The athletes come from 45 states. The oldest is a 54 
year old equestrian, the youngest a 15 year old swimmer. Thirteen are 
mothers, 54 are fathers. It is a source of pride to me and a positive 
reflection on our country that 41 members of the team are foreign born. 
And I am proud to say that 127, or 24 percent, hail from my home state 
of California, including 24 of the 26 members of the water polo team 
and one of the best basketball players in the world, Kobe Bryant of the 
Los Angeles Lakers.
  It is not easy to become an Olympian. It takes years of training, 
extraordinary focus and determination, natural ability, incredible work 
ethic, and a bit of luck. I know from personal experience. I tried out 
for a spot on the Women's Basketball Team that would have competed in 
the 1980 Summer Games held in Moscow had the United States not 
boycotted the games in protest of 1979 Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.
  Mr. Speaker, the Olympic motto is ``Citius, Altius, Fortius,'' which 
is Latin for ``Faster, Higher, Stronger.'' Over the next 17 days of 
glory, as we watch these marvelous athletes from all over the world 
compete in the London Games, I have no doubt that our hearts will race 
faster, our hopes will be higher, and our pride even stronger that we 
live in a country that could produce such exceptional men and women.
  I wish them all well. Let the games begin.

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