[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 114 (Tuesday, July 30, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S9165]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO OLYMPIAN JENNY THOMPSON

 Mr. SMITH. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to Jenny 
Thompson of Dover, NH, for three gold medal performances at the 1996 
summer Olympic games in Atlanta. Jenny's outstanding performances in 
women's swimming relay events are a tremendous achievement. She has 
made the Granite State very proud of her Olympic success.
  Jenny swam the anchor leg in the women's 400 and 800 meter freestyle 
relays, setting American and Olympic records in both races. In 
addition, she swan in the qualifying round of the 400-meter medley 
relay to launch the team to gold in the final. With her three 
outstanding performances, Jenny proved herself a team player, giving so 
much of herself to the team's quest for a gold medal. The U.S. swimming 
team brought home its sixth straight relay gold medal, winning all of 
the relays that have been contested.
  Jenny is a graduate of Dover High School where she swam and ran cross 
country track. She subsequently attended Stanford University, 
graduating in 1995, and began working with her current coach in 
California. In the 1992 Olympic games in Barcelona, Jenny won two gold 
medals and one silver medal. She has held American and world records in 
the 100 meter freestyle and an American record in the 100-yard 
freestyle. She was named the U.S. swimmer of the year after winning 
five national titles, eight NCAA titles, and six Pan-Pacific titles and 
is also a 12-time U.S. national champion. In 1995, she won the 100-
meter freestyle and 100-meter butterfly at the world championships 
despite breaking her arm. At the young age of 23, Jenny now ties skater 
Bonnie Blair as the American woman with the highest number of Olympic 
gold medals.
  The Olympic games are the crowning achievement of an athlete's 
career--the best meet the best from around the world. Years of training 
culminate in just a few weeks of competition in which dreams are 
fulfilled, records are broken, and champions are made. Jenny is one 
such champion with her three gold medals and two Olympic records. Dover 
will welcome their hometown girl as she returns on August 10 with a 
celebration and, appropriately, the dedication of a swimming pool in 
her name.
  Jenny has proven herself an athlete and a winner. She has the 
admiration and pride of the New Hampshire seacoast and we are indeed 
proud of her. It is with pride that I congratulate the women's relay 
teams and our shining New Hampshire star, Jenny Thompson.

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