Kirk Watson: “I rise to honor the participants of the 2004 Summer Olympics from California. Last month, 537 American athletes traveled…”

“I rise to honor the participants of the 2004 Summer Olympics from California. Last month, 537 American athletes traveled to Athens to compete for what is arguably the most esteemed prize in the sporting world, an Olympic medal. Among them, were 143 athletes from my own home State of California, and I was able to witness their success. Our California Olympians made their country proud, winning 78 medals: 31 were gold, 17 silver, and 30 bronze. As representative of the 33rd Congressional District, I would like to honor these California Olympians and their contributions to the Golden State's tradition of individual and collective human achievement. In particular, I wish to enter into the Record the names of those Californians who brought home Olympic gold from Athens: Lindsay Benko, Women's Swimming, 4x200 Meter Freestyle Relay; Laura Berg, Women's Softball; Shannon Boxx, Women's Soccer; Crystl Bustos, Women's Softball; Brandi Chastain, Women's Soccer; Natalie Coughlin, Women's Swimming, 100 Meter; Backstroke, 4x200 Meter Freestyle Relay; Matthew Deakin, Men's Rowing. Joy Fawcett, Women's Soccer; Lisa Fernandez, Women's Softball; Jennie Finch, Women's Softball; Tairia Flowers, Women's Softball; Julie Foudy, Women's Soccer; Amanda Freed, Women's Softball; Yolanda Griffith, Women's Basketball; Joanna Hayes, Women's 100 Meter Hurdles.”