Political Quotes

“There is always time to celebrate extraordinary Americans, which is why I rise today to recognize American tennis star and proud son of Maryland's Fifth District, Frances Tiafoe. Last week, he became the first American man to reach the U.S. Open semifinals since 2006 and the first African-American man to do so since Arthur Ashe in 1972. Indeed, Tiafoe is one of the only three African-American men in the history of tennis to advance out of the rounds and into the finals of the U.S. Open. Of course, we have been very proud to cheer Serena Williams and Sloane Stephens, who together won 4 out of the last 10 women's titles in the U.S. Open, not to mention an extraordinary young woman, Coco Gauff, who made it to the U.S. Open quarterfinals. Tiafoe's accomplishments in the men's tournament are especially impressive, Mr. Speaker, considering his extraordinary story. Born in Maryland's Fifth District--mine--to immigrant parents who fled civil war in Sierra Leone, Frances grew up living in a spare office at the Junior Tennis Champions Center in College Park, Maryland, where his father worked as a custodian. Indeed, earlier, his father had been part of the construction crew that built that tennis center. Noticing young Frances' upbeat attitude and love of the game, the coaches and staff of the center took him under their wing and helped him train to become one of the most promising American tennis players in recent memory. How proud they must be.…”