It is a pleasure to welcome everyone to another Baltimore County celebration of our County’s dominance of world swimming and to recognize the accomplishments of two of Baltimore County’s hometown heroes and it’s particularly great to have their families and friends with us this morning. We are so fortunate to have some of the most outstanding athletes in the world call Baltimore County home. During my six years in office I have had the thrill of welcoming Michael Phelps back from the Athens Olympics, giving Oriole Great Cal Ripken, Jr. a send off to his induction in the Baseball Hall of Fame, and Saturday I will join Mayor Sheila Dixon and Governor Martin O’Malley to welcome Michael Phelps and all our other Maryland Olympians home after their outstanding performance in Beijing and Michael’s history making 8 gold medals in a single Olympics. And today, I have the privilege of honoring two incredibly talented young Baltimore County women who are at the top of their sport. Baltimore County really is the epicenter of the swimming universe and the two women we celebrate today are a big reason for that. Throughout their many international competitions, Katie Hoff and Jessica Long have shown the entire world the kind of determination and competitive spirit that have come to define Baltimore County, the State of Maryland, and our entire nation. These young women are an inspiration to us not simply because of their accomplishments, but also because they are outstanding human beings. Their parents, families and coaches are very rightly proud. In today’s world, far too often athletes fall short of our expectations. Hard working, humble, and dedicated, these Olympians are everything that we want our children to be. Like Michael Phelps, Towson’s Katie Hoff was the other name that dominated this Summer’s Olympics. It is incredible to realize that the two athletes most talked about at the 29th Olympiad were both from the same town, Towson, the same school, Towson High, and the same swim club, the North Baltimore Aquatic Club. At the age of nineteen Katie already has an incredible and distinguished career. She won three gold medals at both the 2005 World Aquatic Championships and the 2006 Pan Pacific Championships. In 2007, she returned to the World Aquatic Championships where she set a world record in the 400 meter individual medley. During the 2008 Beijing Olympics, she competed in seven long distance swimming events, bringing home one silver and two bronze medals. On behalf of the people of Baltimore County, I have only honored three prior recipients with a key to our county. Michael Phelps, Cal Ripken, Jr., and former Baltimore County Police Chief Terrance Sheridan. Katie, you are the fourth to be so honored. We want you to know the admiration Baltimore County has for your achievements and for you as a person and how proud we are to call you one of our own. This plaque commemorating the presentation to you of this Key to our County will permanently hang in this building as a constant reminder of how proud we are of you and what you have achieved. Congratulations, Katie. At sixteen years of age, Jessica Long has accomplished more than many athletes can hope to achieve in a lifetime. Currently, she holds the world record in 15 swimming events. In 2006, Jessica was named the US Olympic Committee’s Paralymipian of the Year and Swimming Magazine’s Disabled Swimmer of the year. In 2007, Jessica received ESPN’s ESPY Award as the best female athlete with a disability, and she became the first disabled athlete ever to win the prestigious Amateur Athletic Association James E. Sullivan Award, presented to the United State’s best amateur athlete, joining such other winners as NFL quarterback Peyton Manning, and fellow Olympians Sarah Hughes and Michael Phelps. During the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing, Jessica again did her country and her county proud, winning four gold medals, one silver, and one bronze. Jessica, on behalf of all the people of Baltimore County, I am honored to present to you our fifth key to Baltimore County. Please know that wherever you are in the future, you can always call Baltimore County home. We will always welcome you back. Like Katie, a commemorative plaque recognizing today’s presentation will also be hung in this Courthouse on permanent display. Congratulations, Jessica. Katie and Jessica; it was special to have you here today and I look forward to further celebrating your accomplishments along with those of Michael Phelps and all our other Maryland Olympians on Saturday beginning with the Parade in Towson at 3 p.m. and continuing with the Star Spangled Salute at Fort McHenry at 7 p.m.
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