[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 97 (Wednesday, June 14, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Pages S8303-S8304]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                              KATHY JORDAN

  Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Madam President, I rise to salute Kathy Jordan, who 
today is being inducted in the Stanford University Athletic Hall of 
Fame.
  My northern California field representative for over 2 years, Kathy 
joined my staff after an incredibly successful career in women's 
tennis.
  While at Stanford, she won four AIAW Collegiate titles, including 
both the singles and doubles championships in 1979. She still is 
considered the best women's tennis player who ever went to 
Stanford. [[Page S8304]] 
  She then turned professional and in her first year reached the final 
16 at both Wimbledon and the U.S. Open.
  During her professional tennis career that spanned a decade, Kathy 
won seven Grand Slam titles.
  Kathy earned a reputation as a tough and tenacious competitor. And, 
as she defeated one challenger after another, Kathy proved she was one 
of the best players in the world and climbed to a ranking of No. 5. In 
just 1 year, she went from being No. 23 in the world to being No. 5.
  During that time, Kathy beat Chris Evert in straight sets at 
Wimbledon in 1983, reached the finals of the 1983 Australian Open, and 
then went on to knock off Pam Shriver in the quarterfinal of the 1984 
Wimbledon singles championship to reach the semifinals.
  Kathy would later be described as Chris Evert's top nemesis, beating 
her three times.
  Martina Navratilova, too, felt the sting of Kathy Jordan's passing 
shots. Not only did Kathy beat her in singles, but it was the team of 
Kathy Jordan and Liz Smylie that pulled a huge doubles upset and ended 
the 109-match winning streak of Navratilova and partner Pam Shriver in 
the Wimbledon final of 1985. Jordan and Smylie won by a score of 5-7, 
6-3, 6-4. It was sweet victory for Kathy, who had lost 3 of the last 4 
years to Navratilova and Shriver after winning the Wimbledon 
championship in 1980 with partner Anne Smith.
  Looking back on the match, Kathy recounted how she and her partner, 
Smylie, were serving for the match at 5-4 in the third set. Kathy 
gambled, lunged across to Smylie's side of the court for a volley. They 
won the point, with Navratilova and Shriver looking stunned as the shot 
whipped by.
  ``Pam and Martina were standing there looking at each other. I'm 
kinda like a roving linebacker and Liz is like a defensive back who 
sometimes has to cover behind me in case a ball gets over my head,'' 
Kathy said in 1991.
  That roving linebacker attitude is exactly what made Kathy Jordan a 
legend on the tennis courts.
  But, in the 1987 Virginia Slims of New England, Kathy's career was 
jeopardized with one of the most serious injuries an athlete can 
suffer--a tear of the right anterior cruciate ligament.
  ``That's the Bernard King injury. The Danny Manning injury. You get 
scared. You never really know. A lot of people don't make it back,'' 
Kathy told the San Francisco Chronicle in 1990.
  But, once again Kathy's determination paved the way and she once 
again became a potent threat in women's tennis. She reunited with her 
partner, Liz Smylie, and once again knocked off the expected winners to 
climb their way into the Wimbledon doubles final in 1990.
  I've had the pleasure of getting to know Kathy over the course of the 
last 2 years.
  After retiring from women's tennis, Kathy finished her undergraduate 
work at Stanford University and chose to direct her talents to public 
service. She worked on Lynn Yeakel's campaign for the U.S. Senate in 
her native Pennsylvania and then returned to California, where Palo 
Alto had become home.
  Kathy joined my staff in 1993 as field representative for the 
northern California region of the State.
  She has been one of the most outstanding staff persons I've worked 
with over the last 2 years.
  Kathy assumed her field responsibilities with an incomparable level 
of compassion, intelligence, and diligence. And just as she did on the 
tennis court, Kathy has shown a fierce determination to fight for what 
is right.
  She redefined the title ``field representative'' and was quickly 
promoted to the role of field director, overseeing projects for me 
statewide.
  As a representative of over 20 counties, she was my eyes and ears for 
northern California. She identifies a problem and--more importantly--
helps figure out how to solve a problem.
  She has been a tireless advocate for the issues and concerns of the 
residents and elected officials in her jurisdiction.
  I frequently have county supervisors and others approach and thank me 
for the work she has done and the results accomplished.
  At a time when many feel alienated and are looking to the 
government's representatives to help them and respond to their needs 
and problems, I feel proud that I have a staff person who heeds the 
call and gets things done.
  Kathy is a remarkable person whose compassion, respect, and talent 
for her work serves as a model for others.
  I am grateful to have worked with her and benefited from her service 
to the U.S. Senate.
  Madam President, I stand here to congratulate Kathy on all her 
accomplishments, and for the honor being bestowed her by Stanford 
University.
  For all she has accomplished in both the world of tennis and in 
government service, it is an honor well deserved.


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