[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 12189]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




          RECOGNIZING THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF CLARESSA SHIELDS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. DANIEL T. KILDEE

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 9, 2016

  Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I ask the United States House of 
Representatives to join me in recognizing Claressa Shields for her 
history-making accomplishments as an athlete and Olympian, and 
continued commitment to the State of Michigan and to my hometown of 
Flint, Michigan.
  Introduced to boxing at a young age, Claressa has built an impressive 
career that boasts, among many victories in national and world 
championships, two successive gold medals from the 2012 Olympics in 
London and 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. This feat makes her the 
first American, male or female, to win back-to-back gold medals in 
Boxing. On August 23, 2016, upon her return from the Games of the XXXI 
Olympiad in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, my home town of Flint welcomed home 
Claressa Shields in a celebration to spotlight her mark in history and 
inspiring story.
  Through her victories, Claressa has breathed life into the dreams of 
young athletes and individuals in Michigan and across the nation. She 
is a remarkable woman who credits her success, her journey, to hard 
work and her faith. Her support system has been a small group of 
dedicated individuals ranging from the coaches whom have driven her to 
victory, to her grandmother who taught her that gender could not hold 
her back. Now, Claressa, who describes herself as ``just a kid from 
Flint,'' is dedicating herself to supporting individuals, young and 
old, in Flint as they face the challenges of poverty, gun violence and 
the ongoing water crisis.
  Therefore, Mr. Speaker, I submit Claressa Shields before the House as 
an example of not only a great athlete, but a great American. She 
represents the resilience of the American dream, and the strong, proud 
spirit of Flint, Michigan. I applaud Claressa for her dedication to her 
sport, and her dedication to our community. The change that she will 
effect has only begun.

                          ____________________