DES MOINES - Iowa Gov. Chet Culver congratulated West Des Moines gymnast Shawn Johnson for her Olympic gold medal Tuesday morning.

Johnson took home the gold in the balance beam competition early Tuesday after earning silver medals in the team, all-around and floor exercise competitions earlier during the Olympic Games in Beijing.

Culver mentioned Johnson at the end of his remarks during a press conference on the steps of the State Capitol for the All Iowa Opportunity Scholarship, a state-funded program that grants college scholarships to Iowa high school students based on financial need.

Culver said Johnson, like the scholarship recipients, provides a positive example for Iowa youngsters.

"Shawn Johnson now has four medals - three silvers and a gold - and like these young people that I'm so proud of this morning, I'm also very proud of Shawn Johnson for what a terrific and outstanding leader and model she is, a great role model," Culver said.