WASHINGTON — Rep. Mike Honda (D-San Jose), chair emeritus of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, issued the following statement on Aug. 1:
“I am proud and honored to extend my warmest birthday wishes to Dr. Sammy Lee, who 64 years ago in London broke down barriers of discrimination and prejudice and dove into Olympic history as the first Asian American to win a gold medal for the U.S. and male diver to win back-to-back diving gold medals in 1948 and 1952, respectively.
“A second generation Korean American, Lee also served his country as a doctor in the U.S. Army Medical Corps, and later coached the U.S. diving team, including Bob Webster and Greg Louganis.
“In a time when his ethnicity and skin color limited his local pool access to one day per week, Lee embodied and exemplified a commitment to excellence and a dedication to stretching the highest physical and mental limits.
“Dr. Sammy Lee, who turns 92 today, remains an inspirational hero for any who choose to pursue their dream, no matter the odds.”