[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 21 (Wednesday, March 2, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: March 2, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                VERMONT GUARD BIATHLETES IN LILLEHAMMER

  Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, this week two members of the Vermont 
National Guard returned home from the winter Olympics in Lillehammer, 
Norway. Laurie Tavares and David Jareckie may not be household names 
like Bonnie Blair and Dan Jansen but they are champions in their own 
right. Both competed with a select group of athletes in one of the most 
difficult sports in the Olympics: the biathlon.
  I can count on one hand the number of minutes CBS dedicated to 
biathlon coverage. Few Americans know much about the biathlon, let 
alone that it is one of the most mentally and physically demanding 
sports at the Olympic games. Biathletes must be able to compete in a 
grueling cross-country ski race while stopping intermittently to test 
their marksmanship on a shooting range. As a former member of the St. 
Michael's College Rifle Team, I recognize the skill and patience it 
takes to get off a clean shot. It takes a special athlete to stop and 
shoot accurately during a cross-country ski race.
  Laurie Tavares was nothing short of remarkable in Lillehammer. She 
was a member of the women's biathlon relay team that finished eighth--
the highest ever for a U.S. women's relay. Laurie also finished 32d in 
the 15-kilometer race.
  I would also like to take a moment to commend David Jareckie who made 
his second appearance at the Olympics. I am proud that both members of 
the Vermont National Guard represented our country in Norway.

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