[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 10 (Wednesday, February 11, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E128]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


CONGRATULATING DONNA WEINBRECHT--OUR GOOD WILL AMBASSADOR OF THE SLOPES

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MARGE ROUKEMA

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 11, 1998

  Mrs. ROUKEMA. Mr. Speaker, I rise on behalf of the United States 
Congress and the people of New Jersey to congratulate Olympic legend 
Donna Weinbrecht of West Milford, New Jersey, on an outstanding career. 
She is a mentor and role model for our young people and a credit to our 
nation for her excellence in all she does. This young women from New 
Jersey is an inspiration to both athletes and non-athletes alike. Her 
sterling character, hard work. unending dedication and thorough mastery 
of her sport make her a role model for young people across our nation.
  Donna--the world-renowned ``Queen of the Moguls''--competed in her 
final Olympic freestyle race today. Despite a rash of injuries, 
including a very sore knee, Donna skied her way into the finals on 
Sunday and today came extremely close to a second career Olympic medal, 
with a fast and clean run to the finish line.
   Mr. Speaker, Donna has been the ``foundation'' of the U.S. freestyle 
team for 11 years. Over her career she won an Olympic Gold Medal, seven 
U.S. titles and five World Cup Championships. These championship 
performances are what has earned her the international reputation as 
the ``Queen of the Moguls.''
  But her impact on her sport goes beyond trophies and honors. She has 
also served as the sport's ``goodwill ambassador.'' Due in large part 
to Donna's energetic promotion of freestyle skiing--or ``the bumps''--
we have the opportunity to watch this exciting form of skiing at the 
Olympics and around the world.
  While Donna is the ``Queen of the Moguls,'' her mother, Caroline 
Weinbrecht, calls herself the ``Queen of the Screams'' for her style in 
cheering on her daughter.
  Caroline and Jim Weinbrecht stayed home from their daughter's trip to 
Japan this year because both have health problems that would have made 
the 14-hour trip difficult. They were with Donna when she won the gold 
in Albertville in 1992, however, and her brother and sister, Jim and 
Joy, are in Nagano. They are a family that is always there for each 
other.
  Donna was born April 23, 1965, in Hoboken and now resides in West 
Milford. Donna won the first-ever Olympic gold medal for women's 
freestyle mogul skiing at the 1992 Olympic Games. Nine months later, 
she suffered a severe knee injury while training for the next ski 
season. Many experts didn't expect her to ski competitively again, but 
with disciplined training and extra effort she came back to win the 
World Cup in 1994 and 1996. Those are the traits of character and 
dedication that will bring her continued success in whatever future 
life endeavor course she chooses.
  The 5-foot-4 skier has known a lifetime of achievements. The 
highlight, or course, was taking the Gold Medal in Freestyle Mogul 
Skiing at the 1992 Olympic Games in Albertville. In 1990, 1991, 1992, 
1994 and 1996, she was both the World Cup and U.S. National Champion in 
the same event. She took the U.S. title in 1988 and 1989.
  She has won 46 Gold, 12 Silver, 12 Bronze World Cup Medals. She was 
named ``International and U.S. Female Freestyle Skier of the Year'' by 
Ski Racing Magazine in 1996; ``International Sportswoman of the Year'' 
finalist in 1993; Women Sports Foundation's 1996 ``Ski Athlete of the 
Year''; the United States Olympic Committee's ``Amateur Athlete of the 
Year'' for 1990-1992; and one of the Women Sports Foundation's 
``Outstanding Amateur Athletes in America'' for 1990-1992. She was a 
member of the Amateur Athletic Union in 1990-1992.
  Donna's hometown of West Milford has been enthusiastically cheering 
on their favorite skier. Students at Apshawa Elementary School e-mailed 
messages to Donna earlier this week and Olympic flags hang outside 
several neighbors' homes. Local schools have shown students videos of 
her past performances. At West Milford High School, where she was a 
high school skier, a mural on the gymnasium wall commemorates her 1992 
Olympic victory.
  My Congressional colleagues and I join Donna's family, the residents 
of High Crest Lake in West Milford, the citizens of New Jersey and, 
indeed, all of our nation in saluting our Olympic champion. Donna will 
always be a ``gold medal champion'' in our hearts. She has carrier our 
flag proudly.

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