[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 36 (Friday, March 25, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


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

 
                       17TH OLYMPIC WINTER GAMES

  Mr. BROWN. Mr. President, the 17th Winter Olympics recently ended in 
Lillehammer, Norway. This American team won more medals than any Winter 
Olympic team in our history: a total of 13. I know all of us are very 
proud of our American team. They deserve our heartfelt commendation.
  We Coloradans feel a special link to America's Olympic teams. The 
headquarters for the U.S. Olympic Committee is located in Colorado 
Springs and many of our best and brightest athletes train there. These 
men and women spend years and years in tough, difficult training all 
for a brief chance at victory. We see many of these athletes in 
Colorado as they train, and we know just how much dedication their 
feats take.
  All of those team members who participated in the Winter Olympics in 
Lillehammer deserve our praise and commendation. Many, for the 
privilege of being on the Olympic team, underwent years of hardship and 
struggle. Each man and woman that represented our country in 
Lillehammer represented our country's best. I know my colleagues will 
join me when I say that all of us here were deeply moved by their fine 
performances--individually and as a team. Not only did they achieve 
great, incredible athletic feats, their efforts as shown on CBS each 
evening brought us together as a nation and rekindled the deep pride 
and respect for our fellow Americans that each of us feels.
  This year's U.S. Winter Olympic team deserves special commendation, 
however, because these men and women together brought home a record-
breaking number of Olympic medals for a U.S. Winter Olympic team. The 
entire team deserves special praise. No medal could have been won 
without the support of the entire team. Just being a member of 
America's Olympic team is an outstanding accomplishment. But, I would 
like to take a moment to pay a special tribute to those who won an 
Olympic medal for the United States while at Lillehammer.


                               tommy moe

  Few people expected America to capture a medal in downhill skiing, 
especially not on the first day of competition. Tommy Moe, of Palmer, 
AK beat all expectations by winning the gold medal in the men's 
downhill competition. Young Tommy Moe did not stop there. He went on to 
win the silver medal in the men's Super G 4 days later. Moe's victories 
make him the first U.S. male skier to win two medals in the same 
Olympics. His victories deserve America's utmost respect and a 
heartfelt congratulations.


                              liz mcintyre

  A resident of Winter Park, CO, and a graduate of Dartmouth College, 
Liz McIntyre brought the U.S. ski team medal count up to three. 
Colorado was particularly thrilled that one of our adopted residents 
performed so well. Her able skiing in the women's mogul event was 
breathtaking, earning her the silver medal in the highly competitive 
event. Liz's enduring athletic ability and Olympic success are a great 
source of pride for both the U.S. ski team and the United States.


                        diann roffe-steinrotter

  As the first competitor down the mountain in the Women's Super G, 
Diann Roffe-Steinrotter stunned the crowd in Lillehammer by posting a 
time of 1:22.15. Having won a Super G silver medal in the 1992 
Olympics, Diann was considered a medal contender, but all wondered if 
her time would hold as competitor after competitor lined up to beat 
her. Hold it did, and a beaming Diann went home with the gold medal. A 
resident of Potsdam, NY, Diann plans to retire after her success in 
Lillehammer in order to attend Clarkson University. We congratulate 
Diann and wish her as much success in her future endeavors as she has 
had in skiing.


                               dan jansen

  With a new world record time of 1:12.43 in the 1,000 meter 
speedskating event, Dan Jansen captured a gold medal in Lillehammer and 
fulfilled both his own dreams and his Nation's high hopes for his 
success. Dan dedicated his victory to Jane, his sister who died of 
leukemia on the morning of his 1988 Olympic race. As we watched Dan 
Jansen receive his gold, we were truly inspired. America will not soon 
forget this Wisconsin native's tremendous courage, perseverance, and 
most of all, his success.


                             picabo street

  Picabo Street arrived in Lillehammer determined to win a medal for 
the U.S. ski team. She let no one down. In the first week of the games 
Picabo captured the silver medal in the women's downhill event. A 
resident of Sun Valley, ID, Picabo was a classic team participant, 
attributing her success to the overwhelming confidence and ability of 
the entire ski team. Picabo deserves our congratulations and thanks for 
her stunning silver medal performance and her inspiring team spirit.


                              bonnie blair

  Capturing the gold in both the 500-meter and 1,000-meter speedskating 
events tops off Bonnie Blair's breathtaking string of Olympic success. 
A native of Milwaukee, WI, Bonnie Blair's skating was unparalleled in 
Lillehammer. In both of her medal winning events, Bonnie turned in near 
perfect performances to the roaring cheers of the crowd. She now stands 
alone as the winner of more gold medals--a total of five--in the Winter 
Olympic games than any other American in history. Bonnie is truly an 
American legend. She deserves our highest praise and our deepest 
respect.


                             nancy kerrigan

  As the world watched gripped by Nancy's horrible knee injury just 
weeks before, Nancy Kerrigan of Stoneham, MA, delivered the figure 
skating performance of her career. She captured not only the silver 
medal in the women's figure skating, but the hearts of the American 
people. Her skating program displayed all of the strength, grace, and 
courage of a true champion. Her years of dedication on the ice and her 
determination to stay focused through these difficult games exemplify 
Nancy's amazing strength of character. Her flawless performance in 
Lillehammer deserves our highest praise and congratulations.


                              amy peterson

  Amy Peterson was expected to do well in the Lillehammer Olympic 
games. Both her mother and her uncle were Olympic speed skaters, and 
Amy's father was a hockey player. Nonetheless, Amy surpassed all 
expectations by capturing not one, but two medals in Lillehammer. Along 
with her three teammates, Amy won the bronze medal in the women's 
rough-and-tumble short track 3,000-meter relay. Two days later, Amy 
gave another stunning performance on the ice, capturing the bronze 
medal in the 500-meter short track event. With these two medals, this 
native of Maplewood, MN, brings her Olympic medal total up to four. She 
is truly an exemplary skater and deserves the Senate's praise.


                              cathy turner

  In one of the most exciting events of the Olympic games, Cathy Turner 
of Hilton, NY, came from behind and captured the gold in the women's 
500-meter short track speedskating event. With a record time of 45.98 
seconds, Cathy skated past China's Xiulan Wang and over the finish line 
to the delight of the Americans in attendance. This gold medal victory 
came only 2 days after Cathy and three teammates took the bronze medal 
in the women's short track 3,000-meter relay. Cathy now holds a total 
of four Olympic medals, an impressive tribute to her skating talents, 
and to America's speedskating team.


                           nikki ziegelmeyer

  After her impressive performance in the 1992 Olympic games, Nikki did 
not expect to compete again in the women's short-track 3,000-meter 
relay in Lillehammer. As the games got under way, Nikki, a resident of 
Milwaukee, WI, and her teammates were content just to have been invited 
to Lillehammer. But, when events unfolded to permit the United States 
relay team to enter the competition, Nikki and her three teammates rose 
to the challenge. The determination and strength of these courageous 
women carried them through to the bronze medal in this exciting event. 
Nikki and her teammates deserve America's heartfelt congratulations.


                             karen cashman

  A native of Quincy, MA, Karen Cashman thought she would be watching 
the Winter Olympic games on television, not participating in the short 
track 3,000-meter speedskating relay. But Karen ended up not only 
participating, but helping her team capture the bronze medal in the 
event. Karen and her teammates' victory brought the total U.S. medal 
count up to eight. We salute Karen for her role in this impressive 
Olympic accomplishment.


                               andy gabel

  Andy Gabel, a two-time Olympian from Pewaukee, WI, helped his team 
capture the silver medal in the men's short track 5,000-meter 
speedskating event. The four-man relay team skated exceptionally well, 
clocking in at 7:13.37, just behind Italy's team. Congratulations to 
Andy for his part in this success.


                               john coyle

  A graduate of Stanford University, John Coyle also played a crucial 
role in the four-man relay team's silver medal performance. John now 
plans to pursue his MBA in International Business, undoubtedly with the 
same determination and strength he brought to the Olympics. His Olympic 
success deserves America's commendation.


                               eric flaim

  With his contribution to the speedskating relay team, Eric now holds 
two Olympic silver medals. His performances both in 1988 in the 1,500-
meter event and in Lillehammer this year are worthy of America's 
appreciation and pride. We congratulate Eric for his success.


                              randy bartz

  Randy has been skating avidly from the age of 6. His many years of 
practice and determination finally paid off in Lillehammer as he helped 
his team capture the silver in the four-man relay. Randy now plans to 
turn in his ice skates for what will certainly be a successful career 
in operations management. America thanks and salutes Randy for his 
accomplishments.

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