August 8, 2008
STATEMENT FROM GOVERNOR PATERSON REGARDING U.S. OLYMPIC FLAGBEARER LOPEZ LOMONG
When we watch the opening of the 2008 Olympic Games, we will see our Nation’s flag enter Bird’s Nest stadium carried by Lopez Lomong, a track star from Tully, New York. It is an honor to watch Mr. Lomong not only because of the joy and dedication he brings to the sport, but because of the amazing story of how he came to represent our State and Nation. At age 6, Mr. Lomong was kidnapped with dozens of other Sudanese children while his family was attending church. He escaped his captor and ran, saving his life. He ran until he reached a Kenyan refugee camp, where he spent a decade of his childhood. When he was 16, he was brought to live with his foster family in Tully, and his running made him a high school and college star. Today, I congratulate Mr. Lomong and his foster parents, Robert and Barbara Rogers. And I thank him, for again inspiring us as a nation and reminding us of the extraordinary men and women who come to our country every day in search of a safe haven and a life of promise.
