Congratulations to Carols Boozer

CONGRESSIONAL RECORD
SENATE
CONGRATULATIONS TO CARLOS BOOZER

Ms. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, I am pleased to honor a fellow Alaskan. This summer our country will display its patriotism on an international level during the 2004 Summer Olympic Games. It is important for us to recognize the men and women who dedicate their lives to representing the United States. Though the sacrifices these individuals make are not "life threatening" like those of our American men and women who serve in our Armed Forces, the individuals who represent our country in the Olympics nonetheless sacrifice themselves, and proudly represent this Nation. That is why I would like to take the time to recognize one fellow Alaskan who is about to compete at the highest international level. Recently, my fellow Alaskan, Carlos Boozer, was selected to the Men's 2004 Olympic Basketball team. He becomes the first Alaskan to be selected to the United States Men's Olympic Basketball team.

Unselfishly, Mr. Boozer has been a quiet winner his whole life. Carlos attended Juneau-Douglas High School, winning a State title in his junior season, and then in his senior season he was selected to the McDonald's All-American Team. He then enrolled in Duke University, where he won a national title with the Blue Devils. After receiving his degree from Duke in 3 years, Carlos was drafted in the second round of the 2002 NBA Draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers. With his workman-like mentality, he is becoming a model for those who dedicate themselves to perfection and team work, and not personal glory. Now he has the opportunity to represent this country in a quest for the Gold Medal in the Summer Olympic Games. I congratulate Carlos, not only for his recent achievement, but for his unselfish dedication. He has dedicated himself to Juneau his home town, Alaska his home state, Duke University, the Cleveland Cavaliers, and now the United States. This kind of continuous dedication is rare, and Carlos embodies it. In a time when professional athletes are opting out of the Olympic Games, Carlos has risen to the occasion and accepted a bid to represent his town, his State, his university, his team, and more importantly, his country. Again I congratulate Mr. Boozer and the rest of the men and women who will represent this great Nation in Athens this summer.