[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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