[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 16 (Wednesday, February 23, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: February 23, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                         TRIBUTE TO DAN JANSEN

  (Mr. KLECZKA asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. KLECZKA. Mr. Speaker, this weekend, the Nation's media coverage 
was monopolized by pictures of Dan Jansen parading a victory lap with 
his 9-month-old daughter Jane, who is named for his late sister. This 
perfect moment was how it was meant to be.
  Last Friday's Olympic victory for Dan Jansen is a lesson to everyone 
in determination and perseverance. Although Jansen's record-setting, 
gold medal skate was considered his crowning achievement, those of us 
in Wisconsin knew that Jansen had nothing to prove in Lillehammer.
  We have watched admiringly as Jansen dominated men's speed skating 
for the better part of a decade. Numerous World Cup championships, the 
title as World Sprint Champion in 1988 and 1994, and a prior record-
setting performance in the 500 meter long ago proved Jansen's 
excellence.
  For seven Olympic races, however, the country agonized as Jansen 
failed to win in the premier global sporting exhibition. We all 
suffered with him during his disheartening fall in 1988, shortly after 
learning of his sister's death, and his subsequent inability to medal 
in 1992.
  For a moment last week, it looked as though Jansen's Olympic woes 
would continue. This dedicated athlete rose to the occasion, however. 
In what he had said would be his final Olympic appearance, Jansen 
captured the gold he desired, and set a world record in the process.
  His story is an inspiration to us all, and a triumph of American 
determination and grit. Despite adversity and repeated jilting at the 
altar of success, Jansen kept going. Dan Jansen, your fellow 
Wisconsinites, and all of America, salute you.

                          ____________________