July 26, 2012 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1343 

force to address high priority risks to children’s 

health. Former President George W. Bush further amended the Executive Order to extend 

the work of this task force an additional few 

years. Since its establishment, the Task Force 

has successfully developed strategies and action plans for addressing asthma, unintentional 

injuries, lead poisoning, childhood cancer, and 

school environments. 

The Children’s Health Task Force Act would 

simply codify the Task Force by an act of 

Congress and charge it with recommending 

and coordinating Federal strategies to address 

environmental health and safety risks for children in the United States. 

I am pleased the American Academy of Pediatrics, the National Center for Healthy Housing, and Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital 

have endorsed this important bill. 

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me 

in supporting the Children’s Health Task Force 

Act. We must ensure that our children grow up 

in a safe and healthy environment. 

f 

PERSONAL EXPLANATION 

HON. KEITH ELLISON OF MINNESOTA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, July 26, 2012 

Mr. ELLISON. Mr. Speaker, on July 23, 

2012, I was unavoidably detained and missed 

rollcall votes No. 499–501. Had I been present 

I would have voted ‘‘nay’’ on vote Nos. 499 

and 500, and ‘‘yea’’ on vote No. 501. 

f 

HONORING 2012 OLYMPIC 

COMPETITOR LOPEZ LOMONG 

SPEECH OF

HON. ANN MARIE BUERKLE OF NEW YORK

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, July 26, 2012 

Ms. BUERKLE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to 

honor a native of my district and 2012 Olympic 

competitor, Lopez Lomong. 

Lopez Lomong was born in Kimotong, a 

small village in southern Sudan in 1985. 

Lopez had a happy childhood until one day, 

when he was 6 years old, his whole life was 

turned upside down. His village was attacked 

while he was attending church, and Lopez 

was taken by rebel soldiers from the Sudan 

People’s Liberation Army. After weeks of 

watching other boys slowly die in the rebel 

camp, Lopez was able to escape through a 

hole in the fence with the help of three other 

boys. Lopez and these boys ran for three days 

through the African plains until they reached 

Kenya and were placed in a refugee camp. 

Lopez would spend the next 10 years in this 

refugee camp, attending ‘‘school,’’ playing soccer and trying to survive day to day on the 

small rations that were provided to the boys. 

One day, when Lopez was 16, the opportunity 

of a lifetime arose. Lopez wrote an essay to 

the Catholic Charities about what he would do 

if he were able to come to the U.S. His essay 

moved the people at Catholic Charities so 

much that he became one of the Lost Boys of 

Sudan who were relocated to the United 

States to begin a new life. 

Leaving Africa behind, Lopez found himself 

an adopted member of the Rodgers family in 

Tully, New York, a stark contrast from the 

plains of Africa. To feel at home, Lopez would 

go on long runs, as he had done in Kenya, 

and he drew the attention of his high school 

cross country coach. It was here that his running career began. Lopez showed immense 

potential and went on from New York to Northern Arizona University where he won two 

NCAA championships. 

In 2007, Lopez became a professional runner and in 2008, after becoming a U.S. citizen, 

he made the Olympic team, proudly representing his new country, the U.S.A. At the 

Beijing Olympics Lopez was voted by his fellow countrymen to carry the U.S. flag into the 

opening ceremonies, and he went on to perform well, making it to the semi-finals of the 

1500m. 

In addition to his athletic achievement, 

Lopez has a heart and passion to see peace 

in the country of his birth that continues to be 

ravaged by civil war. Lopez’s desire is to 

spread the word about what is happening in 

Sudan and to build a community center to give 

hope and opportunities to people who started 

out just like him. 

At the 2012 Olympic Games in London, 

Lopez will once again represent the United 

States. I have no doubt that he will once again 

honorably and nobly represent our country as 

a member of the Olympic team. 

Like so many others I am truly inspired by 

Lopez’s story. I congratulate him on his success and thank him for his continued efforts 

on behalf of his home country of the South 

Sudan. 

f 

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE ATHLETES FROM SOUTH FLORIDA 

REPRESENTING THE UNITED 

STATES IN THE OLYMPIC GAMES 

IN LONDON, ENGLAND 

HON. ALLEN B. WEST OF FLORIDA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, July 26, 2012 

Mr. WEST. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as a 

proud American, anxious to support our American athletes who will be competing in the 

2012 London Olympics over the next two 

weeks. Like the vast majority of my fellow citizens, I will be closely following and cheering 

for each of our athletes as they represent our 

country—especially those from the state of 

Florida. 

Every two years, when the torch has completed its journey across the world and the 

cauldron is lit opening up the winter or summer games of the Olympics, we put down our 

differences for a brief moment and rally 

around our young American athletes. 

Each time the Stars and Stripes are raised 

just a little bit higher than the other flags and 

as the Star-Spangled Banner is played for the 

world to hear, we feel the unfettered pride of 

being an American. 

For these next two weeks, American 

Exceptionalism runs through the veins of 

every American as we root for our fellow athletes. The very best of America can be seen 

in so many of our young men and women who 

compete to bring the gold home. 

Athletes like Lopez Lomong, who escaped 

unspeakable horrors as a child soldier in 

Sudan after running for three days, only to 

end up in a refugee camp for 10 years, before 

being rescued by an American family. After legally earning his American citizenship in a 

country he refers to as ‘‘next to heaven,’’ 

Lopez proudly carried the American flag in 

Beijing and will compete in the 5,000 meter 

race in London. 

Perhaps the most remarkable thing about 

this champion athlete has nothing to do with 

sports. After learning that he had two brothers 

still in Africa, he brought them to the United 

States where he encouraged them to attend a 

military academy so that they can give back to 

a country that has given him so much opportunity. 

My daughters and I will be rooting for this 

true American hero and patriot. 

This momentous occasion to represent the 

United States of America is an unequivocal 

honor for each athlete, the members of their 

team, their families, and all who have exhibited support along the way. As a member of 

Team USA, these champion athletes join a select group who will accompany each other in 

an endeavor to achieve the very best. 

Mr. Speaker I am extremely proud to recognize the Olympic Athletes who reside in South 

Florida. I salute: 

Venus Williams, a three-time Olympic gold 

medalist, has won a gold medal in tennis singles and two in women’s tennis doubles. I am 

proud to proclaim that Venus Williams has 

won more Olympic medals than any other female tennis player. 

Tony McQuay, a three-time NCAA track 

champion and helped lead the University of 

Florida men’s track and field team to the 2012 

college national title. Tony posted the thirdfastest time in the world this year in the 400- 

meter event. 

Sarah Lihan who is competing in sailing. 

After becoming the 2009 ICSA Women’s National Champion, we will cheer her on as she 

sets sail to London in her first Olympic games. 

Anna Tunnicliffe also competing in sailing. 

After winning gold in the Women’s Laser Radial class in the 2008 Olympics she is back on 

Team USA to hopefully bring home another 

gold medal. 

Christie Rampone is a defender on the U.S. 

Olympic soccer team. She has been an invaluable member of the Olympic team and this 

will be her fourth Olympics. 

Becky Sauerbrunn will compete on the U.S. 

Olympic women’s soccer team in her first 

Olympics. She currently resides in West Palm 

Beach and we look forward to seeing her succeed as a defender alongside her teammates. 

Andy Roddick a native Floridian is competing in tennis for his second Olympics. He 

proved over and over that he highly excels in 

his discipline which is singles, doubles and 

mixed doubles. 

Sanya Richards-Ross is track and field and 

will be competing in the following events: 

Women’s 4 × 400m Relay, Women’s 200m, 

and the Women’s 400m. In the 2008 Olympics 

she brought home a 4 × 400m bronze and a 

400m gold. 

And finally, Foluke Akinrakewo a first time 

Olympian competing in the volleyball tournament. She was previously the starting middle blocker on the gold winning U.S. Women’s 

Junior National Team. 

As the world’s attention shifts to London for 

the next two weeks and our nation turns its attention to the very best American athletes it is 

an honor to offer my congratulations and best 


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