S6334 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE September 13, 2012 

prevented from medaling in all five by 

a punctured tire during the marathon. 

She still came in ninth. As a leading 

voice advocating for disability rights, 

her motto is ‘‘Sports is my passion, 

paving access for others is my purpose.’’ 

Born and raised in Chicago, Eric Barber has been playing wheelchair basketball for 20 years. He captured his 

second Paralympic medal this year in 

London as a member of the bronze-winning U.S. men’s wheelchair basketball 

team. Eric was also a member of the 

wheelchair basketball team that won 

bronze in Sydney in 2000. 

Joining him on the men’s wheelchair 

basketball team was former University 

of Illinois point guard Steve Serio, who 

led the U.S. team with 20 points and recorded four rebounds and eight assists 

during the team’s bronze-medal game 

against host Great Britain. 

Team captain Will Waller was the 

third Illini on the men’s wheelchair 

basketball team at his fourth 

Paralympic games. 

Jennifer Chew represented the University of Illinois on the women’s 

wheelchair basketball team. When not 

training herself, she manages the Denver Lady Nuggets basketball team and 

assistant coaches the Junior Rolling 

Nuggets basketball team. 

Teammate and fellow Illini Sarah 

Castle was in London at her fourth 

Paralympic games but only her second 

as a basketball player. Sarah competed 

at the 2000 and 2004 Paralympic games 

as a swimmer—winning silver in Sydney—before a shoulder injury prompted 

her to pursue wheelchair basketball instead. 

Paralympian Adam Bleakney has 

competed in wheelchair racing events 

ranging from 100 meters to the marathon in the 2000, 2004, 2008, and now 2012 

summer games. Adam completed both 

his undergraduate and graduate education at the University of Illinois in 

Champaign, where he now serves as 

head coach of the wheelchair track 

team. 

Three-time Chicago Marathon winner 

Josh George claimed bronze in London 

in the men’s 800 meters. After graduating with honors from the University 

of Illinois, Josh continued to participate in the school’s program as a volunteer assistant coach. When not racing, he works at Intelliwheels, a startup that develops innovative wheelchair 

technologies at the University of Illinois’ EnterpriseWorks. 

Anjali Forber-Pratt began wheelchair 

racing when she was just 9 years old. 

She went on to win a total of four gold, 

six silver, and two bronze medals at the 

Junior National Wheelchair Games before claiming two bronze medals at the 

Paralympic games in Beijing and competing in the 100, 200, and 400 meters in 

London. Anjali embodies her personal 

motto, ‘‘Dream, Drive, Do’’ not only as 

an athlete but also as a student—she 

holds three degrees from the University of Illinois, including her doctorate. 

Illinois freshman Ray Martin dominated the track, sweeping the men’s 

100, 200, 400, 800 meters. His impressive 

four gold medals placed him at the top 

of the medal count for Illini athletes. 

Since competing in his first marathon in 2007, Aaron Pike has become 

one of the top wheelchair racers in 

America in the event. At the University of Illinois, he led the Illini to four 

straight finals of the National Intercollegiate Wheelchair Basketball Tournament, and two titles. 

Jessica Galli of Savoy has competed 

in four Paralympic games, where she 

has won one gold, one bronze, and four 

silver medals. She holds both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree from the 

University of Illinois, where she also 

competed on the wheelchair track 

team. She serves as an advocate for 

disabled athletes through her work on 

the U.S. Olympic Committee’s Athletes’ Advisory Council, Wheelchair 

and Ambulatory Sports USA, and USA 

Wheelchair Track and Field. 

In a momentous year for Brian 

Siemann, he not only competed in his 

first Paralympic games, but he will 

also graduate from the University of Illinois, where he is currently a senior. 

The 2012 U.S. Paralympic National 

Champion in the 100 and 200 meters, 

Brian lives his favorite quote: ‘‘Don’t 

stop believing.’’ 

Recent University of Illinois graduate Ryan Chalmers competed as a collegiate athlete in both basketball and 

track, where his multisport talent 

earned him an athletic scholarship. 

Ryan chose track over basketball before being selected as a member of 

Team USA for the 2012 Paralympics. 

After an intense summer training in 

Champaign, Amanda McGrory competed in London in five events, including the 800, 1,500, 5,000 and the marathon. The University of Illinois graduate began as a sprinter but changed 

her mind after her first marathon, one 

of the sport’s most grueling events. 

Although she hadn’t ever competed 

in a marathon until moving to Champaign to attend the University of Illinois just a few years ago, Susannah 

Scaroni represented the United States 

in the distance event in London. A 

member of the Illini track and road 

racing team, this was her first 

Paralympics. 

It is no coincidence that so many of 

Illinois’ Paralympians are current students or alumni of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Since becoming the first in the Nation to open 

its doors to those with disabilities in 

1949, our State’s flagship university has 

become a world leader in disability 

sports. The University of Illinois’ 

adaptive sports program draws athletes 

from across the globe, and has sent students, alumni or coaches to every 

Paralympics since 1960. 

Just as their nondisabled counterparts, the athletic ability and tenacious commitment of each and every 

one of these athletes serves as an inspiration to their friends, their families, 

and to Americans across the country. 

Although each faces some form of 

physical limitation, these athletes accept no limits on what they can 

achieve. 

I congratulate all of Team USA’s 

athletes on their success at this year’s 

Paralympic games, and especially 

those from Illinois. It is an honor to 

represent them. 

f 

VOTE EXPLANATION 

Ms. LANDRIEU. Mr. President, I regret having missed the September 12, 

2012, vote on the motion to proceed to 

S. 3457, the Veterans Jobs Corps Act of 

2012. 

Had I been present, I would have 

voted in favor of the motion to proceed 

to the Veterans Jobs Corps Act of 2012. 

I am a proud supporter of our Nation’s 

veterans, and I believe this bill will 

provide our veterans with much needed 

support in order to start new careers. 

f 

REAUTHORIZING THE EB–5 

REGIONAL CENTER PROGRAM 

Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, today, 

the House of Representatives passed S. 

3245, legislation to reauthorize the jobcreating EB–5 Regional Center Program for an additional 3 years. In addition to this important program, the 

legislation also prevents the expiration 

of three other immigration programs 

important to Senator CONRAD, Senator 

HATCH, and Senator GRASSLEY. 

I am very pleased the House acted 

with such strong bipartisan support, 

and I commend House Judiciary Committee chairman LAMAR SMITH for his 

quick action on the bill. Once again I 

thank the Judiciary Committee’s ranking member, Senator GRASSLEY, for his 

partnership on this legislation. 

Passage of this legislation in the 

House today will ensure that the jobcreating EB–5 Regional Center Program will continue. Today’s action will 

allow the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to continue to improve and grow the program administratively and will give me and other interested lawmakers, agency officials, 

and private citizens the time needed to 

consider and find consensus on lasting 

statutory improvements to the program so that it may continue as a permanent and vital part of our immigration system. Most importantly, it will 

allow American entrepreneurs to continue building job-creating development projects around the country. 

This program is and will remain a 

productive part of America’s immigration system. Like Canada, Australia, 

New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, 

the United States is right to provide 

the world’s citizens the opportunity to 

immigrate to its shores based upon investment. This program welcomes people from around the world who devote 

substantial investment capital to 

American businesses to invigorate 

American communities. And it does so 

at no cost to the American taxpayer. 

Moreover, those who immigrate 

through this program will purchase 

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September 13, 2012 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S6335 

real estate and other goods, enroll 

their children in our schools, colleges, 

and universities, pay taxes, and enrich 

the communities in which they will 

live and work. 

As the availability of credit in the 

United States has become restricted, 

particularly for new and small businesses, many have turned to this program for capital. The program’s growth 

over the last several years has been 

significant. And with increased growth 

comes the need for the law to keep 

pace and for the administering agency 

to adapt to this growth and devote the 

necessary resources. As we move forward, I look forward to continuing my 

work on comprehensive legislation to 

make this program an efficient, more 

productive, and permanent part of our 

immigration law. We have already seen 

many instances of the way in which 

this program can harness together 

many individual investments to do big 

things in many communities. But the 

law can and will benefit from some improvement in the coming months, and I 

stand ready to work with any Senators 

who recognize the value and potential 

of this program. 

Our immigration law provides 10,000 

visas each year for this program. When 

this program reaches the point at 

which it is fully subscribed, based on 

the minimum required investment 

amount and the statutory job creation 

requirement, it has the potential to direct $5 billion in foreign capital investment into American communities each 

year, with the potential for the creation of 100,000 American jobs. And 

that calculation does not take into account the domestic capital that can be 

attracted when projects are capitalized 

and carried out through this program 

or the ancillary benefits that communities experience when local economies 

are strengthened, nor does it account 

for the immeasurable contributions 

that new Americans make to our communities across the country every day. 

We all recognize the need to take 

steps to do whatever we can to spur our 

economy and create jobs for American 

citizens. I have no doubt that the action taken unanimously by the Senate 

on August 3 and the decisive action 

taken by the House of Representatives 

today to complete the legislative process on this bill will help us meet this 

shared goal. 

f 

2012 OLYMPIANS 

Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, every 4 

years families across the United States 

and around the world come together as 

summer begins to wind to a close to 

watch as supremely gifted athletes 

from across the globe showcase their 

talents in peaceful competition. The 

many thrilling moments that comprise 

this 16-day span are both awe-inspiring 

and riveting, and I congratulate each 

of the athletes who competed in the 

2012 Olympic games in London for their 

effort, sacrifice and competitive spirit. 

Being an Olympian is a tremendous 

feat and is the product of a relentless 

commitment to intense, event-specific 

training, coupled with the drive, determination, and perseverance to excel. 

These events and these athletes captured our imagination, and once again, 

reminded us that achievement is limited only by our will and our audacity 

to dream big. 

Representing their country in London is an experience these athletes will 

cherish for a lifetime. They leave with 

new bonds and new friendships borne of 

mutual respect. London was a welcoming and gracious host for these athletes, their family and friends, as well 

as the multitudes of fans that witnessed these enthralling sporting 

events firsthand. The venues were 

breathtaking, and the opening and 

closing ceremony was a feast for the 

senses, taking us on a splendid journey 

through history and foreshadowing 

what was to come. I, along with many 

across Michigan, applaud their effort. 

There were many firsts at these 

games. For the first time, a woman was 

a member of every Olympic delegation, 

including a Saudi Arabian woman competing bravely for her home country. 

The London games also featured the 

debut of women’s boxing. It was particularly gratifying to watch a Flint 

Northwestern High School student 

earn the first gold medal in Women’s 

Boxing for the United States. The 

poise, quickness and grit of Flint native Claressa Shield displayed en route 

to her victory was a delight to watch. 

There was also Oscar Pistorius, a bold 

and graceful athlete who has overcome 

many obstacles to compete alongside 

able-bodied athletes as peers. 

And none of us will forget Michael 

Phelps, who followed up his brilliance 

in Athens with another dramatic and 

impressive performance in London, solidifying his place among the greatest 

Olympians of all time. The medal total 

for this Michigan Wolverine is astonishing—22 Olympic medals, 18 of them 

gold. 

Nor will we forget the passion and 

spunk of the ‘‘Fierce Five’’, led by 

DeWitt’s own Jordyn Weiber. Jordyn 

experienced a range of emotion at 

these games, from the high of winning 

the team gold in gymnastics for the 

United States to disappointment of 

falling just short of qualifying, by the 

narrowest of margin, for the highly 

coveted individual All-Around title. 

Her grace in both victory and disappointment set a fine example for aspiring young gymnasts. 

And there was two-time Olympian 

Allison Schmitt, who earned three gold 

medals in swimming to increase her 

lifetime Olympic medal total to six. 

As evidenced by these and other impressive performances, Michigan was 

well-represented in London. Impressively, 30 athletes with strong ties to 

Michigan competed in these games, including Chas Betts in wrestling, Tia 

Brooks in track, Tyler Clary in swimming, Ellis Coleman in wrestling, 

Desiree Davila in track, Geena Gall in 

track, Jake Herbert in wrestling, Charlie Houchin in swimming, Connor Jaeger in swimming, Kara Lynn Joyce in 

swimming, Ken Jurkowski in rowing, 

Justin Lester in wrestling, Spenser 

Mango in wrestling, Sam Mikulak in 

gymnastics, Brett Newlin in rowing, 

Jamie Nieto in track, Tom Peszek in 

rowing, Jeff Porter in track, Ben 

Provisor in wrestling, Dathan 

Ritzenhein in track, Daryl Szarenski in 

shooting, Davis Tarwater in swimming, 

Sarah Trowbridge in rowing, Peter 

Vanderkaay in swimming, Lauryn Williams in track, and Sarah Zelenka in 

rowing. 

In addition to these outstanding 

American athletes, Michiganians 

proudly witnessed a number of talented 

athletes from other nations with 

strong ties to Michigan compete in 

these games, including Eric Alejandro 

in track, Bradley Ally in swimming, 

George Bovell in swimming, Nate 

Brannen in track, Syque Caesar in 

gymnastics, Milorad Cavic in swimming, Franklin Gomez in wrestling, 

Janine Hanson in rowing, Barry Murphy in swimming, Wu Peng in swimming, Krista Phillips in basketball, 

Tiffany Porter in track, Nicole 

Sifuentes in track, and Nick Willis in 

track. 

The joy and excitement on the faces 

of these fine athletes as they fulfilled 

their dream to compete against the 

best in the world was infectious. Their 

determination was searing. Watching 

them compete in a gracious way as the 

world tuned in reminds us of what is 

possible. They navigated cultural differences, overcame language barriers 

and set aside historical disputes to engage in fair, peaceful competition. 

While it is in many ways symbolic, it is 

nonetheless significant. It reminds us 

all that we are a human family and 

that respect and dignity is deserved for 

all. 

Barbara and I are honored to salute 

the many athletes with ties to Michigan who competed in London. Their 

hard work was evident; their skill was 

exquisite; and the competition that resulted was fascinating to watch. The 

inspiring example of excellence these 

athletes have put forth will not soon be 

forgotten. In homes across our State, 

young people are working a little harder, setting their goals a little higher 

and aspiring to equal or exceed the athletic prowess displayed in London time 

and time again. Our future is a little 

brighter as a result of each of them. 

f 

WORLD WAR II VETERANS 

Mr. TESTER. Mr. President, On September 23, nearly 100 World War II veterans from Montana will be visiting 

our Nation’s Capital. 

With a great deal of honor and respect, I extend a hearty Montana welcome to each and every one of them. 

Together, they will visit the World 

War II Memorial and share stories 

about their service. This journey will 

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