[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 145 (Friday, October 24, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2075-E2076]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


 INTRODUCING LEGISLATION FOR THE CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL FOR WILMA G. 
                                RUDOLPH

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. CAROLYN C. KILPATRICK

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 23, 1997

  Ms. KILPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to proudly introduce a bill 
that will confer a Congressional Gold Medal to Wilma G. Rudolph. I was 
honored and proud to chair a hearing yesterday, organized by the 
Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues, on the 25th Anniversary of 
Title IX. Title IX provides for the equal funding of educational and 
athletic programs, and has provided for much of the breakthrough for 
women and girls in academics and athletics. I can think of no better 
person, male or female, who better embodies the spirit of Title IX than 
Wilma Rudolph. As a matter of fact, the date of Title IX's enactment 
into law--June 23--is Wilma Rudolph's date of birth. We explored where 
we were, where we are, and where we need to go regarding Title IX at 
yesterday's hearing of the Congressional Caucus of Women's issues. 
However, this conversation would be moot if not for the stellar 
achievements and contributions to academics, business, and athletics, 
of Wilma Rudolph.
  Wilma G. Rudolph, born the 20th of 22 children, was initially never 
given a chance to walk or resume a ``normal'' life. Through the hard 
work of her parents, she overcame scarlet fever, polio and pneumonia to 
become an athletic pioneer and champion in her home State of Tennessee 
in basketball and track. As a high school athlete, Wilma Rudolph once 
scored 49 points in a single game for Burt High school in Clarksville, 
TN, a record that still stands for the most points scored in a single 
game in the State of Tennessee. In her first major track meet, the 
national Amateur

[[Page E2076]]

Athletic Union championships in 1956, Wilma placed first in the 300 
yard dash, second in the 100 yard dash, and fourth in the 75 yard dash. 
Despite suffering from a severe ankle sprain, she was the first woman 
to win not one, but three gold medals in a single Olympiad. Her gold 
medals were in the 100 meter dash, the 200 meter dash, and the 400 
meter relay at the 1960 Olympics.
  Wilma Rudolph was not one, however, to rest upon the laurels that the 
celebrity of winning Olympic gold medals brought to her. Upon her 
return to Clarksville, TN, in 1960 Wilma Rudolph demanded, and 
received, the first integrated parade in the city of Clarksville. She 
continued her education, graduating from Tennessee State University. 
She became a successful businessperson, coach, teacher, and mother. The 
effort and example of Wilma Rudolph helped to blaze the trail that 
resulted in Title IX today. The opportunities of Title IX has allowed 
for lucrative careers in business for women, and the opportunity for 
women to enjoy, like men, to be able to afford the life as a 
professional athlete. Although Wilma Rudolph passed away on November 
12, 1994, her legacy continues to inspire men and women, able-bodied 
and physically challenged, to overcome odds. Her life truly embodies 
the American values of hard work, determination, and love of humanity. 
I am honored that so many of my colleagues, through their co-
sponsorship of this bill, recognize the broad talents and contributions 
of my heroine and friend, Wilma G. Rudolph.
  Original co-sponsors of the bill are Representatives Rod Blagojevich, 
Earl Blumenauer, Minority Whip David Bonior, Walter H. Capps, Julia 
Carson, Donna Christian-Green, Bob Clement, James E. Clyburn, John 
Conyers, Jr., Danny K. Davis, Rosa DeLauro, Ronald V. Dellums, Eni F.H. 
Faleomavaega, Bob Filner, Harold E. Ford, Jr., Barney Frank, Martin 
Frost, Bart Gordon, Earl F. Hilliard, Jesse L. Jackson, Jr., Sheila 
Jackson-Lee, Zoe Lofgren, William L. Jenkins, Eddie Bernice Johnson, 
Tom Lantos, Cynthia McKinney, Carrie Meek, Robert Menendez, Juanita 
Millender-McDonald, Patsy T. Mink, James L. Oberstar, Glenn Poshard, 
Lynn Rivers, Bobby Rush, Max Sandlin, Debbie Stabenow, Fortney Pete 
Stark, Bennie G. Thompson, Maxine Waters, J.C. Watts, Lynn C. Woolsey, 
and Albert R. Wynn.

                          ____________________