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Home , Andrew Rock, Andre Dirrell, Bob Bowman (coach), Carly Piper, Dan Ketchum, Jon Urbanchek

S8956 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE September 8, 2004 HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES ess and grace displayed by the best ath- In , as is the case in every PRIVATE FIRST CLASS NICHOLAS SKINNER letes our country has to offer, includ- Olympiad, there were many amazing ing many from . Michigan moments that will resonate in our Mr. GRASSLEY. Madam President, I continued our long tradition of con- minds for years to come. Let me take rise today to pay tribute to a great pa- tributing world-class athletes to both a moment to highlight a few of them. triot, PFC Nicholas Skinner, U.S. Ma- the Summer and Winter Olympic Representing the WNBA Champion rine Corps. Private First Class Skinner Games with athletes competing in 13 Shock on the gold medal win- courageously gave his life on August different sports in this year’s Games. It ning women’s basketball team were 26, 2004, in support of Operation Iraqi was inspiring to witness their total ef- Ruth Riley and Swin Cash. The women Freedom when he was shot during a fort, and in many cases, the realization won the gold medal by going unbeaten, heavy exchange of gunfire in Najaf, of their dreams. There are legions of increasing their Olympic winning Iraq. Private First Class Skinner is young athletes who watched these streak to an incredible 25 games. An- survived by his father Randy Skinner, Games and will continue to dream and other notable achievement was accom- his mother Laura Hamann, his older strive to one day represent their coun- plished by Andre Dirrell of Flint, who brother James and his younger sister try with the same pride, grace and de- won a bronze medal in the middle- Stephanie. This brave young soldier termination that was on display at weight division in boxing. Dirrell was only 20 years old. In his short life these Games. showed the heart of a champion as one he made a lasting impression on his I am particularly proud of the 28 in- of only two U.S. boxers to win a medal friends, family and fellow soldiers. dividuals from Michigan who competed in these Games. I ask my colleagues in the Senate for the in the 2004 Ath- First-time Olympian Lauryn Wil- and my fellow Americans to join me ens Olympics. All of the athletes on liams of Detroit won the silver medal today in paying tribute to my fellow Team USA achieved amazing feats to in the 100-meter . In an ex- Iowan, Private First Class Skinner, for qualify for these Games. The Michigan tremely close race, Williams edged out his sacrifice on behalf of our country. Olympians included Martin Boonzaayer a Jamaican runner to finish with the My deepest sympathy goes out to his in judo; in track and field; silver and a personal best time. In addi- family and friends. Private First Class Swin Cash in basketball; Tara tion, Kate Johnson, from the U of M, Skinner was a great man that dedi- Cunningham in weightlifting; Andre won a silver medal as part of the wom- cated himself to his duty as a soldier. Dirrell in boxing; Kate Johnson in row- en’s eight rowing team. The team set a Private First Class Skinner told his ing; in ; world record in one of their prelimi- grandmother that he joined the Ma- in swimming; Dan nary heats en route to winning their rines because ‘‘They’re over there Ketchum in swimming; Rachel medal. fighting for me and my country, I want Komisarz in swimming; Kate Mac- On the soccer field, the U.S. women’s to go over there and fight for you and Kenzie in rowing; in team took the gold medal with an ex- my country.’’ Private First Class Skin- swimming; Kate Markgraf in soccer; tremely thrilling 2 to 1 overtime vic- ner is the example of a fine man and a in track and field; Carly tory over . Michigan residents strong soldier. I salute him for his Piper in swimming; Andy Potts in the Kate Markgraf and sense of duty and his service to the triathalon; Jasna Reed in table tennis; helped the team achieve this victory American people. Ruth Riley in basketball; Dathan over the tough Brazilian team. We can all be proud of this extraor- Ritzenhein in track and field; Artour Tarpley, a midfielder from Kalamazoo, dinary soldier. He did not die in vain, Samsonov in rowing; Jeff Smoke in tallied one assist against Greece and but died for his country that he loved canoe/kayak; Daryl Szarenski in shoot- scored the first goal in the gold medal to serve. Private First Class Skinner ing; in the triathalon; match against Brazil. Markgraf of has entered the ranks of our Nation’s Lindsay Tarpley in soccer; Bloomfield Hills, starting in all six greatest patriots. He will always be in track and field; in games as a defender, helped her team honored as a hero who gave the ulti- swimming; Steve Warner in rowing; remain undefeated. This was her sec- mate sacrifice for liberty. He will be and in track and ond time representing the United greatly missed. field. This outstanding group of ath- States in the Olympics. f letes brought honor to our State and Another heart pounder came in the Nation and accounted for a total of 15 men’s 4x200 meter CONGRATULATIONS TO MICHIGAN medals for the United States: eight relay. The U.S. men’s team, which in- OLYMPIANS gold, five silver, and two bronze. cluded Peter Vanderkaay from Royal Mr. LEVIN. Madam President, I take In addition, competing at these Oak, Klete Keller from Ann Arbor, U of this opportunity to congratulate all of Games were nine other athletes with M alumnus and future the athletes who competed in the 2004 ties to Michigan: in Wolverine Michael Phelps, held off a Summer in Athens, swimming, who will be attending the strong Australian team to win the gold Greece. The Olympic Games celebrate , U of M; Alan and set an American record. In addi- years of training, struggle and perse- Webb in track and field, who attended tion to this golden performance, Keller verance in overcoming obstacles and the U of M; and Venus Williams in ten- won the bronze medal in the 400-meter striving to become the best. It was nis, who lived in Michigan, competed freestyle, and Michael Phelps won an wonderful to see so many athletes from for Team USA. In addition, six athletes additional five gold and two bronze across the globe come together in with Michigan ties competed for other medals to establish himself as one of peaceful competition. countries: Courtney Babcock for Can- the stars of this or any Olympiad. Greece did a tremendous job of ada in track and field; Carlos Delfino For the women’s swim team, Kara hosting the Games. The scenery was for Argentina in basketball; Chris Lynn Joyce from Ann Arbor won a sil- breathtaking, and the venues were Demetral for Greece in baseball; An- ver medal as a part of the 4x100 meter spectacular. These Games were espe- drew Hurd for Canada in swimming; medley relay team. Additionally, cially notable because of the return of Kevin Sullivan for Canada in track and Joyce, along with teammate Rachel the Olympics to its birthplace in field; and Nick Willis for New Zealand Komisarz from Warren, won a silver Greece. The historic legacy of Greece in track and field. medal in the 4x100 meter freestyle was particularly noteworthy for the Every two years we watch the Sum- relay. Another victory was secured by marathon competitors who began their mer and Winter Games to catch a the women’s 4x200 meter freestyle journey in the ancient city of Mara- glimpse of these extraordinary ath- relay team, which included Komisarz thon, the original location of the letes’ struggles and successes. An and from Grosse Pointe event, and for the shot-put competitors Olympian’s life is about sacrifice, Woods who swam in the finals. In the who competed in the original Olympic about showing up to grueling practices finals, the U.S. women broke the world stadium in Olympia. day after day, about working hard to record. Over a 16-day span, the Olympic spir- become the best in the world. It was The athletes with Michigan ties who it was embodied by the athletic prow- riveting to watch these Games unfold. represented other countries had many

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Crosse, Andrew won a gold medal as a will be joining the team this year, com- America’s 2004 Olympians are some of member of the men’s 1,600 meter relay peted for the Argentinean Olympic the finest athletes in the world. Dedi- in Athens. team. cated to their sport, these individuals Matt Smith. A graduate of the Uni- Our athletes were supported by a often devote years of their lives to versity of Wisconsin, Matt currently great number of coaches and staff who training for the ultimate experience of serves our country as an infantry - made their success in the Games pos- competing in the Olympics. All com- tain for the U.S. Army. He competed as sible. The coaches with ties to Michi- peted well, and their hard efforts were a rower in the men’s lightweight four. gan include of the U of M rewarded as a remarkable 103 medals . A swimmer originally in swimming; Larry Brown of the De- were earned by Americans in Athens. from Verona, Neil earned two Olympic troit Pistons in basketball; Todd I would like to particularly recognize medals—a bronze in the men’s 4 x 100 Dagenais of Michigan State University the Olympians from my home State of freestyle relay and a gold medal in the in volleyball; Steven Fraser from the U Wisconsin. Fifteen athletes competing men’s 4 x 100 medley relay. of M in wrestling; Kevin Jackson from in the 2004 Olympic games have ties to Mike Wherley. A Sun Prairie High Jackson in wrestling; Al Mitchell of Wisconsin, and I am proud of their ef- School graduate, Mike rowed in his Northern Michigan University in box- forts. These 15 athletes traveled to first Olympics with the men’s four in ing, and of the U of M Athens to compete in a variety of Athens. in swimming. In addition to the coach- sporting events, events that ranged I offer my congratulations to these ing staff, three U of M alumni were in- from rowing to gymnastics to the mod- athletes. They demonstrated great pas- volved in the administration of the ern pentathlon. It is my honor to rec- sion and dedication to their sport and Games. Jeffrey Benz is the current gen- ognize these fine competitors from to the spirit of the Olympics. They eral counsel and Abigail Tompkins is a Wisconsin: made Wisconsin proud. member of the United States Olympic Chris Ahrens. A graduate of White- f Committee, USOC. Thomas Miller is fish Bay High School and two-time VOTE EXPLANATION the current United States Ambassador Olympian, Chris earned a gold medal to Greece. All of these individuals this year as a member of the men’s Mr. TALENT. Madam President, I worked tirelessly to assist the athletes eight rowing team. was unavoidably detained and unable in their pursuit of greatness at these Deirdre Demet-Barry. A seven-time to participate in rollcall vote No. 164 Games. national cycling champion originally that took place on September 7, 2004. I know I speak for all Michiganians from , Deirdre competed in My flight was diverted from its in- in expressing appreciation and con- women’s cycling while in Athens. tended destination of Reagan National gratulations to all of the Michigan ath- Rebecca Giddens. A kayaker since Airport to Dulles International Airport letes, coaches, and administrators who age 10, this Green Bay native earned and prevented me from being able to took part in the 2004 Summer Olympic the bronze medal in the women’s K1 cast my vote. Had I been present I Games. The Games last a few short flat kayak slalom. would have voted in favor of the nomi- weeks, but the memories will be in- James Gruenwald. Originally hailing nation of Virginia Maria Hernandez grained in the minds of all who saw from Greendale, James competed in his Covington to be U.S. District Judge for them and shared vicariously in the ef- second Olympics in the men’s Greco- the Middle District of Florida. forts of these great athletes. For their Roman wrestling competition. f Dennis Hall. A proud cheesehead and commitment, drive and competitive SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS Plover resident, Dennis competed in spirit, I congratulate all the athletes of BILL the 2004 Olympic Games, but it is with the men’s Greco-Roman wrestling for particular pride that I salute the ath- his third Olympics. Mr. GRAHAM of Florida. Mr. Presi- letes and coaches from Michigan. . A native of Waukesha, dent, I rise today to say thank you on behalf of the millions of citizens of my f Paul won gold and silver medals in men’s gymnastics events in his second State who have been affected by the in- 2004 OLYMPIC GAMES Olympic Games. credible events of the last month. Mr. FEINGOLD. Madam President, I . As a member of the Thank you to all of the State and am sure that my colleagues will join U.S. men’s gymnastics team, this local officials who took quick and deci- me in congratulating the American Waukesha native helped lead the team sive actions that saved many lives. athletes who competed in the 2004 to a silver medal. Thank you to the first responders who Olympic Games in Athens, Greece. Ben Holbrook. Ben is originally from helped citizens evacuate and continued The Olympics have a rich history, Hartland and competed in the Men’s working to keep people safe through- with records dating the first Olympic quadruple sculls rowing competition in out these major storms. Thank you to Games to 776 B.C. in Olympia, Greece. Athens. the thousands of volunteers from the The early athletic contests allowed Beau Hoopman. Raised in Plymouth, Red Cross, who staffed hundreds of youths to highlight their physical Beau rowed at the University of Wis- shelters that served as the only safe prowess, with victory reflecting well consin and won a gold medal in Athens haven for many Floridians. Thank you upon the competitor’s home city. The with the men’s eight rowing team.. to the professionals from FEMA and modern Olympic Games have endured Mary Beth Larsen-Iagorashvili. A the Small Business Administration, for over a century, through times of graduate of Mukwonago High School who activated immediately and began war and peace, and this year, the who attended Marquette University, to respond in a manner I have not wit- Olympics returned to its origins. Mary Beth competed in the women’s nessed before. The symbols of the Games—the modern pentathlon. I did a workday as a hurricane recov- motto, the flames, the rings—carry im- Garrett Lowney. Athens was the sec- ery volunteer in Port Charlotte, FL, on portant meanings. The Olympic motto ond Olympic Games at which this Free- August 31, assisting Red Cross volun- ‘‘citius—altius—fortius’’, which is dom resident competed in men’s Greco- teers to distribute midday meals to Latin for ‘‘faster—higher—stronger’’ Roman wrestling. people who were still without power encourages all to strive to achieve Erin Mirabella. Erin, a native of and then going door-to-door with their personal best. The Olympic Racine and former student at UW- FEMA workers for follow-up damage flame, lit by the sun’s rays in Olympia Parkside, won the bronze medal for her assessments. I was moved by the grati- and passed around the world, burns performance in women’s track cycling. tude on the faces of people fighting to

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