[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 19 (Tuesday, March 3, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S1217]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       NATIONAL SPORTSMANSHIP DAY

  Mr. CHAFEE. Mr. President, today is the eighth annual National 
Sportsmanship Day--a day designated to promote ethics, integrity, and 
character in athletics. I am pleased to say that National Sportsmanship 
Day was a creation of Mr. Daniel E. Doyle, Jr., Executive Director of 
the Institute for International Sport at the University of Rhode 
Island. Participation this year will include over 10,000 schools in all 
50 states and more than 100 countries.
  Today, the Institute is holding a day-long town meeting in which 
athletes, coaches, journalists, students, and educators are engaged in 
an in-depth discussion of racial issues in sports. I believe that the 
Institute's work in addressing the issues of character and 
sportsmanship, and its ability to foster good dialogue among our young 
people is significant.
  As part of the Day's celebration, the Institute selects Sports Ethics 
Fellows who have demonstrated ``highly ethical behavior in athletics 
and society.'' Past recipients have included: Kirby Puckett, former 
Minnesota Twins outfielder and 10-time All Star; Joan Benoit Samuelson, 
gold medalist in the first women's Olympic marathon in 1984; and Joe 
Paterno, longtime head football coach at Penn State University. This 
year, the Institute will honor over 15 individuals including Mills 
Lane, district court judge of Reno, Nevada and internationally known 
professional boxing referee; Bud Greenspan, renowned Olympic 
cinematographer; Billy Packer, CBS sports commentator; and Ken Dryden, 
president and general manager, Toronto Maple Leafs.
  Another key component of National Sportsmanship Day is the Student-
Athlete Outreach Program. This program encourages high schools and 
colleges to send talented student-athletes to local elementary and 
middle schools to promote good sportsmanship and serve as positive role 
models. These students help young people build self-esteem, respect for 
physical fitness, and an appreciation for the value of teamwork.
  If all those activities were not enough, the Institute has found 
another avenue to promote understanding and good character for 
youngsters. A new program called Renaissance Education was instituted 
in 1996 to expose students to the foundations of ``total education.'' 
The Renaissance Education concept gives students the opportunity to 
contribute to a team effort and profit from the benefits of team 
participation. To kick-off this program, the Institute will host its 
first-ever Renaissance Games in April where students will participate 
in sports, leisure, cultural, and academic activities such as: 
basketball, volleyball, photography, public speaking, creative writing, 
chess, board games, spelling bees, and library research.
  I remain very proud that National Sportsmanship Day was initiated in 
Rhode Island, and I applaud the students and teachers who are 
participating in the events of this inspiring day. Likewise, I 
congratulate all of those at the University of Rhode Island's Institute 
for International Sport, whose hard work and dedication over the last 
eight years have made this program so successful.
  Mr. President, it is my understanding that S. 1173 will be the matter 
before the Senate?
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator is correct.

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