EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS

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July 30, 2012 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1349 

THE OPENING OF THE GAMES OF 

THE XXX OLYMPIAD 

HON. LAURA RICHARDSON OF CALIFORNIA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Monday, July 30, 2012 

Ms. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise 

today to join the millions of athletes, coaches, 

fans, and families around the world who are 

eagerly anticipating the opening of the Games 

of the XXX Olympiad, which will be held in the 

City of London from July 27 through August 

12, 2012. 

There is something special about the Olympic Games. Every four years the world’s best 

athletes come together and engage in a spirited but friendly competition of athletic skill and 

grace. For two weeks the world will be treated 

to incredible athletic displays of speed, power, 

endurance, strength, and grace; heartwarming 

displays of courage under pressure; inspiring 

examples of sportsmanship and teamwork; 

and several surprising turns of events. Their 

performances will amaze and astound the 

world and be a source of pride to the nations 

they are privileged to represent. 

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the 529 athletes 

making up the United States Olympic team. 

Like the men and women of the Armed 

Forces, they represent the best of our country. 

Their self discipline, willingness to sacrifice, 

commitment to excellence, and humility in victory make us all proud to be Americans. 

Mr. Speaker, for the first time in history the 

majority of athletes on Team USA is comprised of women. Team USA reflects the rich 

diversity of our country. The athletes come 

from 45 states. The oldest is a 54 year old 

equestrian, the youngest a 15 year old swimmer. Thirteen are mothers, 54 are fathers. It is 

a source of pride to me and a positive reflection on our country that 41 members of the 

team are foreign born. And I am proud to say 

that 127, or 24 percent, hail from my home 

state of California, including 24 of the 26 

members of the water polo team and one of 

the best basketball players in the world, Kobe 

Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers. 

It is not easy to become an Olympian. It 

takes years of training, extraordinary focus 

and determination, natural ability, incredible 

work ethic, and a bit of luck. I know from personal experience. I tried out for a spot on the 

Women’s Basketball Team that would have 

competed in the 1980 Summer Games held in 

Moscow had the United States not boycotted 

the games in protest of 1979 Soviet invasion 

of Afghanistan. 

Mr. Speaker, the Olympic motto is ‘‘Citius, 

Altius, Fortius,’’ which is Latin for ‘‘Faster, 

Higher, Stronger.’’ Over the next 17 days of 

glory, as we watch these marvelous athletes 

from all over the world compete in the London 

Games, I have no doubt that our hearts will 

race faster, our hopes will be higher, and our 

pride even stronger that we live in a country 

that could produce such exceptional men and 

women. 

I wish them all well. Let the games begin. 

f 

HONORING GARRET PARKER, RECENTLY NAMED BOYS & GIRLS 

CLUB YOUTH OF THE YEAR FOR 

THE STATE OF ILLINOIS 

HON. JERRY F. COSTELLO OF ILLINOIS

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Monday, July 30, 2012 

Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to 

ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Garret Parker, a member of the Boys & Girls Club 

of Alton, Illinois, who was recently selected as 

the Boys & Girls Club Youth of the Year for 

the State of Illinois. 

Garret Parker has been a member of the 

Boys & Girls Club of Alton for six years. While 

he has credited the Boys & Girls Club with 

providing him support and numerous opportunities, Garret has reciprocated by volunteering, 

coaching and mentoring younger members. 

Garret has had to overcome several obstacles in his young life. Born with sickle cell anemia and chronic asthma, he has endured extensive medical treatment, including multiple 

blood transfusions. Garret’s mother has battled cancer and is now doing well. Garret’s 

positive resolve in meeting these life challenges is one of his noteworthy personal qualities that have earned this recognition. 

Among Garret’s volunteer activities are ringing bells for the Salvation Army fund drives, 

participating in Mississippi River and city-wide 

cleanup projects and helping out with activities 

at the Boys & Girls Club. He combines this 

with extracurricular activities in high school 

while maintaining a solid grade point average. 

Garret looks forward to graduating from high 

school next year and hopes to go to college. 

He is currently looking at the University of 

Central Florida. Given his remarkable performance so far, it is apparent this young man has 

a bright future ahead of him. 

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me 

in honoring Garret Parker, the Boys & Girls 

Club Youth of the Year for the State of Illinois, 

and in wishing him and his family the very 

best in the future. 

f 

HONORING DR. MAE B. WRIGHT 

HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Monday, July 30, 2012 

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

ask the House of Representatives to join me 

in honoring the life of Dr. Mae B. Wright. She 

was an inspirational teacher, mentor, and tireless servant in the District of Columbia and 

the D.C. public school system for over 47 

years. As a dedicated member of the Washington community, she pioneered advancements in educational achievement and spiritual guidance for countless individuals through 

her service as a minister, teacher, and advisor. 

Mother Wright, as she was fondly known, 

served as a teacher and business leader by 

profession. She was dedicated not only to 

educating students through the school system, 

but she believed in education through the principles of faith. She co-founded a support ministry called People inspiring People, PIP, with 

her husband, Raefield Wright, with the goal of 

helping others find peace, prosperity, and balance in their everyday lives. 

Born in Kershaw County, South Carolina, in 

1937, her parents instilled in her the importance of self-respect, hard work, integrity, and 

perseverance. Dr. Wright received her Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees from 

Minors Teachers College, which is currently 

the University of the District of Columbia. She 

also received graduate-level training in psychology and business administration. 

Dr. Wright will be remembered as a person 

who always put people first and partnered with 

them to find peace, especially in the midst of 

the most challenging circumstances. She was 

always available, night or day, to help one 

work through a problem or provide a listening 

ear. 

I ask the House to join me in honoring the 

life of Dr. Mae B. Wright. 

f 

75TH ANNIVERSARY OF UNITED 

STEELWORKERS LOCAL 264 

HON. BETTY McCOLLUM OF MINNESOTA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Monday, July 30, 2012 

Ms. MCCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, today I rise 

to honor the members and families of United 

Steelworkers, USW, Local 264 on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the union. 

Like the industry and workers it represents, 

Local 264 has grown and evolved during its 

long history to meet the needs of members 

and the challenges of the day. Starting as a 

small paper worker union in1937, the local 

served employees at five Saint Paul, Minnesota, paper plants as part of the International Brotherhood of Pulp, Sulfite, and 

Paper Mill Workers. More than 65 years and 

several union mergers later, the growing union 

eventually became the United Steel, Paper 

and Forestry, Rubber Manufacturing, Energy, 

Allied-industrial, and Service Workers International Union—the United Steelworkers. 

While many changes have occurred in the industry and the union’s name, the local has always served its members first. 

United Steelworkers Local 264 works to cultivate positive relationships between its members and their employers, including RockTenn, 

one of the largest paper recyclers in America. 

In turn, the union is helping to set a high 

standard for all workers in our State and provides much needed resources for safety, skills 

training, fair wages and benefits, and retirement security. 


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