[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 81 (Thursday, June 23, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


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

 
                     WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS OF CYCLING

                                 ______


                            HON. BUD SHUSTER

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 23, 1994

  Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring to the attention of 
my colleagues Altoona, PA's bid for the 1997 World Championships of 
Cycling. In 1992, Altoona was host of the U.S. Olympic Cycling Team 
Trial; which drew over 100,000 spectators. Altoona also acts as host 
for the annual ``Tour de Toona'' cycling race.
  Altoona is a community of 50,000 people located in central 
Pennsylvania, surrounded by the Allegheny Mountains. The crime rate is 
among the lowest in the Nation, and the people pride themselves on 
being friendly, honest, and hardworking.
  The area is easily accessible by car via Route 220; and by Amtrak for 
those traveling by rail. Altoona is conveniently close to Washington, 
DC, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Cleveland, and Buffalo.
  Financial support for the Olympic trials from the region was 
overwhelming. The local utility companies acted as sponsors along with 
Conrail, who was the largest corporate investor. Conrail covered 
railroad crossings and provided Olympic decorum for the event. A local 
water bottling company supplied water for the racers, and a medical 
group offered their physical therapy services. Over 1,000 citizens 
volunteered their time and energy to insure the success of the Olympic 
trials.
  In August of this year, a bid presentation will be made to the 
International Cycling Federation in Italy. If Altoona receives this bid 
I am confident that the community will once again come together and 
show visitors from around the world a glimpse of what a successful and 
prosperous American city is really like. Altoona has demonstrated its 
dedication as a host city for such an event in the past, and it would 
be in the best interests of the international cycling community to hold 
the 1997 World Championships of Cycling in Altoona, PA.
  I call on my colleagues to support this bid, with the hope that this 
event will come to Altoona and benefit the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania 
and the United States.

                          ____________________