[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 8]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 12011]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING AND SUPPORTING THE AMERICAN TEAM IN THE 2013 DEAFLYMPICS

                                  _____
                                 

                         HON. JAMES R. LANGEVIN

                            of rhode island

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 22, 2013

  Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend and cheer 
America's deaf athletes and the United States Deaf Sports Federation, 
USADSF, in their representation of the United States of America at the 
upcoming 2013 Summer Deaflympics in Sofia, Bulgaria.
  The Summer Deaflympics have been held every four years since 1924 and 
the Winter Deaflympics since 1949--making the Deaflympics the second-
oldest international sports games after the Olympics.
  From July 26, 2013, through August 4, 2013, Sofia, Bulgaria, will 
host the 2013 Summer Deaflympics. Over 180 deaf and hard of hearing 
athletes and coaches will train and travel to Sofia to represent the 
United States in 11 sports. They have trained their entire lives for 
the honor and privilege of representing their country in international 
competition. Their achievements are extraordinary, and I know my 
colleagues join me in feeling great pride in all they have 
accomplished.
  USADSF was established in 1945 and represents over 100,000 deaf and 
hard of hearing athletes in the United States and nearly 1,500 
individual member organizations. USADSF fosters and regulates rules of 
competition and provides social outlets for deaf athletes and their 
friends. It serves as a parent organization of national deaf sports 
organizations, conducts annual deaf sports athletic competitions, and 
assists in the participation of American teams in international 
competition.
  USADSF is run by volunteers, who give of their time, talent, and 
resources for the love of the games and the athletes.
  Mr. Speaker, I congratulate all the athletes, coaches, and support 
staff from the United States for earning a place to represent our 
country at the 2013 Summer Deaflympics and I commend USADSF for their 
efforts in supporting them.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in cheering our American athletes on 
to success at the games, and to co-sponsor my bipartisan resolution 
honoring their achievements. This resolution, which I introduced today, 
calls on all members to honor and support our delegation and wishes 
them well as they represent our country against the world.

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