S6534 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE September 20, 2012 American gymnastics captain; watch- RECOGNIZING ALASKANS passionate dancer and an active mem- ing her was a remarkable lesson in OLYMPIANS ber of her church, pursuits which, focus. ‘‘Reliable Raisman,’’ as she was Mr. BEGICH. Mr. President, I wish to along with her family and friends, called, would be USA Gymnastics’ recognize three outstanding Alaskans helped her accomplish the amazing feat foundation and, with the help of her who won in the 2012 U.S. Olympics and of earning an Olympic medal. She grad- teammates, would compete for indi- Paralympics: Ms. Janay DeLouch who uated from Black Hills Classical Chris- vidual gold medals and an elusive team calls Eielson Air Force Base home, Ms. tian Academy in 2009, at which point gold against the world’s best. Shirley Reilly who hails from Barrow, she was already nationally recognized in Taekwondo, and went on to attend The day before the all-around team and Mr. Seth McBride from Juneau. I Miami-Dade College in Miami, FL. competition, Aly’s teammate, the No. 1 am proud of their accomplishments and honored to recognize these three tal- Some of her most notable awards in- gymnast on Earth in the individual all- clude 2007 Outstanding Female Athlete around, fell. A team gold now hanging ented young adults. First, I would like to recognize Ms. at the Senior National Championships, in the balance, her teammates covered 2008 Chris Canning Award of Excellence their mouths and fought back tears as DeLouch who competed in the women’s long jump and placed bronze in the 2012 Winner, and 2009 Outstanding Female their coaches nervously paced. In a Athlete at the USAT National Cham- hushed arena, the cameras and the eyes Olympic Games. Her other career high- lights include placing third place in pionships. of tens of millions of TV viewers Paige should be extremely proud of turned to Reliable Raisman, who would the 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials and plac- ing silver in the 2012 World Indoor her remarkable accomplishments. I am now have to turn in the performance of more than happy to extend my con- a lifetime to secure gold for the Amer- Championships. She is also a two-time National indoor champion for 2011 and gratulations on her Olympic medal and ican women. to offer congratulations on behalf of 2012 and has placed second in the 2011 the State of South Dakota. We are ex- Aly had in several previous competi- USA Outdoor Championships. tions selected a modern rendition of Ms. Reilly competed in various tremely proud and wish her continued ‘‘Hava Nagila,’’ the popular Jewish folk events in of the 2012 success in the years to come. song of celebration, as the music for U.S. Paralympics. She placed gold in f her anything-but-routine floor exer- the women’s , silver in the NATIONAL DAY FOR THE cises. Meaning ‘‘let’s rejoice’’ in He- women’s 5000 m and bronze in women’s REPUBLIC OF CHINA ON TAIWAN brew, the song seemed a natural choice 1500 m. An extraordinary and talented Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. President, I for this young woman, whose Jewish individual, Ms. Reilly’s other career rise today to honor the people and heritage is a central part of her life and accomplishments include placing first leaders of Taiwan on their National family. After steady performances in in the 2012 , LA Mara- Day on October 10. This is a day for the vault, beam, and uneven bars, the thon and Bolder Boulder (10K). She is a celebration, a special day that recog- opening notes of ‘‘Hava Nagila’’ rang previous 2011 IPC World Championships nizes the founding of the country 101 through the arena for her floor exer- Competitor and she finished second in years ago. cise. Before her routine, a TV commen- the 2011 Chicago Marathon. Ms. Reilly I would like to highlight the eco- tator remarked that for Aly to secure has been a Paralympics Games Com- nomic success of Taiwan over the last the gold would require an ‘‘unreal’’ per- petitor since 2004. century—a success that has rightly formance and a tumbling run that Mr. McBride placed bronze in the been called a ‘‘miracle’’ and resulted in many thought ‘‘was not possible.’’ mixed wheelchair rugby event in the a strong and dynamic economy. The Raisman exceeded expectations as she 2012 U.S. Paralympics. His previous United States and Taiwan have a long executed her tumbles and stuck her Paralympics experience includes plac- history of mutual trade and friendship landing with a brilliant smile. This ing gold in the 2008 Paralympics that has promoted economic prosperity near-perfect floor routine solidified the Games. Mr. McBride has competed in a on both sides of the Pacific. I am par- first gymnastics all-around gold for variety of different sporting events and ticularly pleased that the U.S.-Taiwan American women since 1996. has placed gold at the 2005 World bilateral relationship has become even Wheelchair Games, the 2006 North A gold medal was also on the line as stronger in recent years. American Cup, the 2006 Canada Cup, I also would like to take this oppor- Aly again drew the world’s attention to the 2006 World Championships, the 2008 tunity to congratulate Ambassador a 12-by-12 meter mat in London for the Canada Cup and the 2010 World Cham- Jason Yuan, Representative of the ROC games’ final gymnastic event. pionships. (Taiwan) to the United States, on his Raisman’s floor routine came on the Once again, it is my privilege to rec- new post as Secretary-General of the heels of a bronze medal in the indi- ognize these individuals for their hard National Security Council of Taiwan. I vidual balance beam competition pro- work, dedication and their medals. cherish the friendship with Ambas- viding her with a boost of confidence. A They make Alaska proud. sador Yuan and wish Ambassador and slow motion replay of her final tum- f Madame Yuan the very best of luck in bling run showed her tears of joy begin- TRIBUTE TO 2012 OLYMPIC BRONZE the future. ning before she stuck her final landing I urge my colleagues to join me in MEDALIST PAIGE MCPHERSON as she knew she would be the first congratulating the people of Taiwan on American woman to win gold in the Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, today I their success and thanking them for floor exercise. wish to recognize Paige McPherson of their continued efforts to work with In closing, Aly Raisman did more Sturgis, SD, who earned a bronze the United States to foster a strong than win our Nation’s first ever Olym- medal in Taekwondo at the 2012 Olym- economic growth and cooperation. On pic gold medal in the women’s floor ex- pic Games in London, England, this this day of National Celebration, the ercise, did more than deliver the first summer. Despite facing the popular people of both the United States and British world champion in the first women’ gymnastics team gold for Taiwan have much to celebrate. round of competition in London, Paige American women in 16 years; Raisman f fought her way to the bronze medal in is an inspiration for the youth of Mas- the women’s 67-kilogram division. HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH AND sachusetts that with hard work and Paige possesses an outstanding record HISPANIC-SERVING INSTITU- dedication to your craft, anything can of success in Taekwondo, beginning at TIONS WEEK be achieved. a young age and, most recently, as a Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. President, this Mr. President, I congratulate Aly on silver medalist at the 2011 Pan Amer- week I submitted two resolutions: The her historic gold medal and wish her ican Games. She was also a successful first recognizes September 15 through all the best in the years ahead. And to member of the U.S. National Team in October 15 as Hispanic Heritage Month; all our Olympians and Paralympians, 2009, 2010, and 2011. the second designates the week of Sep- thank you for so ably representing our Growing up in Sturgis, Paige pursued tember 16 as ‘‘National Hispanic-Serv- Nation in the 30th Olympiad. excellence in many areas. Paige is a ing Institutions Week’’ and honors the

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