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COMMEMORATING OLYMPIC SILVER MEDALIST RICHARD TORREZ, JR.
______
HON. DEVIN NUNES
of california
in the house of representatives
Friday, September 10, 2021
Mr. NUNES. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the accomplishments of Richard Torrez Jr., who earned a silver medal at the 2020 Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan.
Born on June 1, 1999, Mr. Torrez was raised in Tulare, California. He developed a love for boxing at a young age, following in the footsteps of his grandfather as well as his father Richard Torrez Sr., who competed in the 1984 Olympic Boxing Trials. As a child, Mr. Torrez was mesmerized by the Olympic games and dreamed of one day winning a medal for the United States.
Mr. Torrez grew up in the boxing gym his father owns and operates, Tulare Athletic Boxing Club. Learning discipline and commitment, he quickly became an elite boxer. Family always remained at his core. His father, to this day, remains one of his coaches.
Graduating from Mission Oak High School in 2017, Mr. Torrez was considered one of the most accomplished students of his graduating class. He was president of the school's chess club and involved in the robotics team. He was also a varsity member of the football, basketball, and track teams. Mr. Torrez capped off his high school career as valedictorian of his graduating class.
Fighting as a super heavyweight, Mr. Torrez placed fifth at the 2019 Elite World Championships, third at the 2019 Pan American Games, and first at the 2020 Boxam Tournament. He has successfully competed in many other tournaments as well, but reaching the Olympics have always been his biggest goal.
Mr. Torrez earned the right to represent the United States as a super heavyweight boxer at the 2020 Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan. His years of disciplined training were evident from his first fight, becoming the first American to vie for the super heavyweight gold medal since Riddick Bowe in 1988 at the Seoul Olympic Games. He made the United States proud by earning the silver medal.
Through his accomplishments, Mr. Torrez brought great pride to his hometown. Hundreds of people gathered in various places in Tulare to watch his fights. Signs supporting him were placed on most streets. He joins two other Tulare residents, Bob Mathias and Sim Iness, as the city's Olympic medalists.
All of America is proud of Richard Torrez Jr. His impact on U.S. boxing and his Central Valley community will be long remembered.
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SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 167, No. 156
The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
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