[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 70 (Tuesday, May 1, 2007)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages E907-E908] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] HONORING JESSICA LONG ______ HON. C.A. DUTCH RUPPERSBERGER of maryland in the house of representatives Tuesday, May 1, 2007 Mr. RUPPERSBERGER. Madam Speaker, I rise before you today to honor Jessica Long, in celebration other selection as 2006 U.S. Paralympian of the Year by the United States Olympic Committee. Jessica Long was born in Siberia and was adopted from a Russian orphanage at the age of 13 months along with her brother Joshua by Steven and Beth Long of Middle River, Maryland. Because of lower leg anomalies, her legs were amputated when she was 18 months old. She learned to walk with prostheses and has been unstoppable ever since. Long has been involved in many sports including gymnastics, cheerleading, ice skating, biking, trampoline, and, of course, she loves to swim. She began swimming in her grandparent's pool before joining her first competitive team in 2002. The next year, Jessica was selected as Maryland Swimming's 2003 Female Swimmer with a Disability of the Year. Jessica made the international swimming world take notice at the 2004 Paralympic Games, winning three gold medals. Only 12 years old at the time, Jessica was the youngest athlete on the U.S. Paralympic Team. Jessica had a phenomenal year in 2006 with a long list of impressive accomplishments. She set five world records and earned nine gold medals at the 2006 International Paralympic Committee Swimming World Championships in Durban, South Africa in December. Her gold medal performances were in free style relay (world record), 100-meter backstroke, 100-meter freestyle (world record), 100-meter fly (world record), IM relay, 100-meter breast stroke, 200-meter IM (world record), 400-meter freestyle (world record), and 50-meter freestyle. She also set three world records at the 2006 U.S. Paralympic National championships in August; two world records at the GTAC Open in Ypsilanti, Michigan, in May; two world records at the Belgian Open in Antwerp, Belgium in May; and four world records at the Spring Can-Am in London, Ontario, in April. She currently holds world records in 12 events, one as part of a [[Page E908]] relay. She is Swimming World's 2006 Disabled Swimmer of the Year and was named a finalist for the Women's Sports Foundation's Sportswoman of the Year. Madam Speaker, I ask that you join with me today to honor Ms. Jessica Long. She is an outstanding and dedicated member of the United States Paralympic Team. In spite of her disability, she has shown a unique and committed work ethic in sports training and competition. Jessica has shown the world that no limitation can prevent an individual from achieving great success. It is with great pride that I congratulate her on her selection as the 2006 United States Paralympian of the Year. ____________________