Jim Langevin: “Mr. Speaker, yesterday I teamed up with my colleague, the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Tancredo), to introduce this…”

“Mr. Speaker, yesterday I teamed up with my colleague, the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Tancredo), to introduce this resolution to honor Erik Weihenmayer. I am an ardent fan of Erik Weihenmayer. Little does he know that I and millions of others with disabilities have followed his trek not since May 23, when he summited Mount Everest, but many months ago when I first learned of his expedition. Since 1926, when George Mallory was the first man to reach the top of Mount Everest, only about 1,000 people have successfully climbed it, and more than 150 have died trying. Not only has Erik conquered a mountain few people with 20/20 vision would ever fathom climbing, but he has also become an inspiring example of how to live life to its fullest. At the young age of 32, Erik has already climbed Mount McKinley, Mt. Kilimanjaro, and even the Polar Circus, a 3,000 foot ice waterfall.”