The publication is reproduced in full below:
HONORING RODERICK TOWNSEND
______
HON. JERRY McNERNEY
of california
in the house of representatives
Monday, September 20, 2021
Mr. McNERNEY. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing and celebrating Roderick Townsend for his record-breaking success at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. Born with nerve damage to his right arm and shoulder, Roderick's incredible journey overcoming adversity has demonstrated that perseverance and hard work can lead to great achievements.
Roderick, a native of Stockton, California, graduated from Lincoln High School. He demonstrated his athletic prowess as a member of Lincoln High School's varsity football team, where he was selected as the 2009 team captain, as well as a San Jose Athletic Association first team defensive end and second team all-area player. Roderick later went on to attend San Joaquin Delta College, where he competed in the decath and high jump. During the 2012 season, he was selected as the Delta College Track and Field Team captain and was ranked seventh in the nation and second in the state of California for his high jump performances. He still holds the Delta College high jump record and Delta College Track Facility record. Roderick went on to graduate from Boise State University and then received his Master of Education from Northern Arizona University.
Making his international debut at the Arizona Grand Prix in 2015, Roderick quickly made a name for himself on the international scene representing the United States in the World Championships in high jump, long jump, and triple jump. Roderick's years of hard work culminated in him being selected to compete in his first Paralympic Games in 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where he clinched double gold medals by winning both the long jump and high jump T47--setting Paralympic world records in both.
Aspiring to reach even greater heights, Roderick competed in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games as a member of the United States Paralympics Track and Field Team. Once again having the honor to represent his country in the world's foremost athletic competition, Roderick set the Paralympic world record by leaping 2.15 meters in the men's high jump T47 and in doing so, earned his third gold medal to date. Additionally, he earned the silver medal and achieved his personal record of 7.43 meters in the men's long jump T47.
Roderick also chose to put his years of experience to work serving the youth of his community as a track and field coach. He has coached at Delta College and Jim Elliott Christian High School in Lodi, California, and served as a sports performance coach at The Performance Project in Stockton. Roderick currently serves as a full-time assistant coach with the Northern Arizona University's Men's and Women's Track and Field program.
Roderick serves as an example for young athletes across this country, demonstrating that no matter your circumstances, with hard work you can achieve greatness. I'm honored to recognize Roderick Townsend for his distinguished athletic achievements and ask my colleagues to join me in wishing him the best of luck in his future competitions.
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SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 167, No. 162
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