[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 48 (Wednesday, March 15, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3939-S3940]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


          DOUG SWINGLEY WINS THE IDITAROD TRAIL SLED DOG RACE

  Mr. BAUCUS. Mr. President, let me read from a story that appeared on 
today's AP wire:

       A quiet ``yahoo'' was the first thing Montana musher Doug 
     Swingley uttered when he arrived at Nome, winning the 
     Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in record time. Swingley is the 
     first non-Alaskan winner of the race in 23 years.

  Well, today, many Montanans are echoing that ``yahoo'' heard up 
north.
  We are saying yahoo for Doug Swingley and the hard work, 
determination and endurance that helped him win.
  We are saying yahoo for the family and friends--particularly his wife 
Nelda--who backed Doug up and helped him get to where he is today.
  And we are even saying yahoo for Doug's lead dog, Elmer, and what is 
almost certainly the fastest team of sled dogs in the world.
  They have all made Montana proud. And to Doug, his family and his 
friends, we say congratulations.
  Yet I doubt there is a yahoo to be heard anywhere in the State of 
Alaska today. And that includes my good friends and colleagues from 
Alaska, Senators Stevens and Murkowski.
  But I would urge them to not take this loss too hard. It is never 
easy to keep up with Montana. Perhaps all those cold, dark Alaska 
winters have just slowed the Alaska mushers down. And maybe, if Alaska 
wants to stay competitive in future Iditarods, they 
 [[Page S3940]] should send their mushers to Montana to train. After 
all, it is warmer. But we usually have plenty of snow. And the sun even 
shines.
  Despite this loss, Senators Stevens, Murkowski and the people of 
Alaska can be justly proud of the rich tradition and sporting heritage 
of the Iditarod and their home State.

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