Speaker Lord Allan Velasco has led the filing of a resolution in the House of Representatives commending and awarding the Congressional Medal of Excellence to weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz for her historic gold medal win at the 2021 Tokyo Summer Olympics.
It would be the first time the legislative chamber will confer such an award, the creation of which is subject of a separate resolution filed by Speaker Velasco, Majority Leader Ferdinand Martin Romualdez and Minority Leader Joseph Stephen “Caraps” Paduano.
Velasco said Diaz deserved “gratitude and recognition from every single Filipino” after clinching the very first Olympic gold medal for the Philippines.
“We thought an Olympic gold medal for the Philippines would never happen in our lifetime until it did, many thanks to Hidilyn Diaz!” Velasco said, echoing the sentiments of Filipino sports enthusiasts.
Velasco thanked Diaz for bringing joy, pride and glory to the country. “To hear our national anthem played at the Olympic podium with the gold medal around Hidilyn’s neck was priceless,” he said.
The House chief added: “It was indeed one of the proudest moments to be Filipino. And for that, your kababayans are forever grateful. Maraming, maraming salamat, Hidilyn!”
In House Resolution (HR) 2041 that he filed along with other House leaders and members, Velasco cited Diaz for serving as an inspiration to Filipinos, especially young women and athletes.
“Hidilyn Diaz has now inspired countless young Filipino women and girls, athletes, and young Filipino dreamers to reach for their goals and achieve their dreams,” the resolution stated.
“Hidilyn Diaz’s fighting heart and indomitable spirit has ignited hope and dreams in our country reeling from the current pandemic and economic downturn by bringing honor and pride to all Filipinos, whether in the country or abroad,” it added.
Aside from Velasco, the resolution was also authored by Romualdez, Paduano, Isabela 5th District Rep. Faustino Michael Carlos Dy III and Zamboanga City Rep. Manuel Jose “Mannix” Dalipe.
Velasco, Romualdez and Paduano also filed HR 1981 seeking to institutionalize the Congressional Medal of Excellence for national athletes who win the gold medal at the Olympic Games, which they described as “the world’s only truly global, multi-sport celebratory athletics competition.”
They said that winning the gold medal at the Olympic Games signifies the singular highest level of achievement of an athlete.
“There is a need for the House of Representatives to institutionalize the Congressional Medal of Excellence to particularly give honor and commendation to these exceptional modern-day national heroes in sports who win the gold medal in the Olympic Games,” the House leaders said in the resolution.
“This award will immortalize their achievements and give them a legacy to leave behind by providing future generations with inspirational lessons that they can take to heart,” they added.
There are currently two congressional medals being handed out by the House: Congressional Medal of Distinction and Congressional Medal of Achievement.
The Congressional Medal of Distinction is given to Filipino achievers in sports, business, medicine, science, and arts and culture; while the Congressional Medal of Achievement is awarded to political, economic, and cultural leaders, who have distinguished themselves through their life-work and their vision. (HoR)-rir
