[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 10 (Wednesday, February 11, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S675]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     AN IDAHOAN MINES OLYMPIC GOLD

 Mr. KEMPTHORNE. Mr. President, I rise to congratulate an 
American athlete who has shown us all that adversity can be turned into 
inspiration and success.
  Picabo Street, a young woman from the tiny mining town of Triumph in 
my home state of Idaho, has thrilled us all with her gold medal-winning 
performance in the women's super giant slalom at the Winter Olympics in 
Nagano, Japan.
  Four years ago I stood in this chamber to offer my congratulations to 
Picabo, who won a silver medal in the Lillehammer Olympics in the 
downhill. While a lot has happened in this country and the world over 
those four years, one thing has remained the same: Picabo Street's 
desire to win an Olympic gold medal.
  That dream looked like it might not be fulfilled after a horrible 
accident 14 months ago during a training run. Picabo blew out her knee, 
and missed almost the entire 1997 season. But thanks to her 
determination and tireless rehabilitation, the knee was strong enough 
to return to action late last year. And then, another setback marred 
her prospects for Nagano. Just 12 days ago, she was knocked unconscious 
in a spill during a race in Sweden.
  But this remarkable third-generation Idahoan, who learned to ski on 
the slopes of Sun Valley, was determined not to let this latest setback 
keep her from fulfilling the promise she made to her parents when she 
was a little girl--the promise of Olympic gold.
  Picabo says the long and difficult months of rehabilitation from her 
injury were the toughest times of her life. Yet her hard work and 
dedication pulled her through. Even while she could only sit and watch 
her teammates get ready for these games, she never lost hope.
  Picabo's mother, Dee, taught her the words to the Star Spangled 
Banner. Four years ago, Picabo stood on the silver medal platform, 
listening to another country's anthem being played. She vowed the next 
time she'd hear her anthem. Those singing lessons came in handy today. 
With the gold medal around her neck, Picabo sang the words to our 
national anthem. I'm sure every American sang with her.
  Idaho can be truly proud of a hometown hero, who overcame seemingly 
insurmountable odds to regain the form that made her a world champion. 
I ask every Idahoan and every American to join me in offering 
congratulations to this amazing athlete.
  The little girl from the gold mining town of Triumph, Idaho has 
triumphed and won the gold medal.

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