[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 18 (Friday, February 25, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: February 25, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
  THE 13TH ANNUAL WASHINGTON-IRISH ST. PATRICK'S DAY RUGBY TOURNAMENT

  Mr. PELL. Mr. President, I rise today to bring to the attention of my 
colleagues the 13th Annual Washington-Irish St. Patrick's Day Rugby 
Tournament which will be held in Washington, DC in March.
  For the past 13 years, competitors from local clubs, universities, as 
well as teams from different States and countries, have participated in 
this tournament. In the past, countries such as Australia, Great 
Britain, Canada, and Germany have been represented. But what makes this 
year's tournament different is that, of the more the 60 teams scheduled 
to participate, one will be from Russia.
  The Pensa Rugby Football Club from Moscow, representing the 
Confederation of Independent States, will be the first such team to 
enter an organized rugby tournament in the United States. While they 
are in Washington, the Russian players will stay with the Washington-
Irish Rugby Club players. Upon completion of the tournament, the 35-
member Russian club will move on to games in Baltimore and New York 
before returning home.
  I believe that the participation of the Russian team speaks well of 
the improving relations between our two countries. At a time when our 
athletes are competing in Lillehammer, it is important to recognize the 
role that sports play in building a greater understanding between 
citizens of different nations.
  On a similar note, I was pleased to have the opportunity last summer 
to have a role in the World Scholar-Athlete Games which were held in 
Newport, RI. The Games--a junior Olympics of sorts--brought together 
more than 1,500 teenagers from every State of the United States as well 
as from 107 countries, to foster camaraderie and understanding among 
future world leaders through sport and cultural activities. I have long 
held the view, Mr. President, that only through closer contact with the 
citizens of other nations can we knock down the wall of ignorance and 
isolation. Hopefully, through programs such as the rugby tournament and 
the Scholar-Athlete Games, misconceptions about other cultures will 
diminish, or preferably be totally eliminated.
  I salute the Washington-Irish Rugby Football club for their work in 
organizing and hosting this event.

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