[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 26 (Thursday, March 12, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E366]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E366]]
                         TRIBUTE TO BOB MATHIAS

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. GEORGE P. RADANOVICH

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 12, 1998

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Bob 
Mathias. This year marks the 50th Anniversary of Bob Mathias' Olympic 
Decatholon Gold Medal victory. Mr. Mathias is recognized as both an 
exceptional athlete and dedicated American. He has certainly left his 
mark in many ways.
  Bob Mathias had a historical career in athletics that has been 
matched by no other athlete of our time. In 1948, Bob shocked the world 
by winning the Olympic gold medal in the decathlon. Bob was seventeen 
years old at the time, becoming the youngest person ever to win an 
Olympic gold medal in track and field. This record still stand today. 
Mathias was recognized as the most outstanding amateur athlete in the 
United States when he received the Sullivan Award in 1949. He never 
lost a decathlon championship and retired undefeated after winning the 
gold medal again in the '52 Olympics. Bob was also an All-American 
running back for Stanford University, where he became the only athlete 
to play in the Rose Bowl and compete in the Olympics in the same year 
(1952). He was then drafted by the Washington Redskins in the 1952 NFL 
draft.
  After his distinguished athletic career, Bob began to use his talents 
in many different fields. He served as an underwater demolition 
specialist in the US Marine Corps from 1954 to 1956. He also traveled 
extensively around the world for the U.S. State Department on good will 
missions, reporting to President Eisenhower. In 1954, Bob began his 
acting career when he starred in the movie ``The Bob Mathias Story.'' 
John Wayne then signed him to be an actor in Hollywood where he worked 
in many films until 1960. In 1966, Bob Mathias was elected to the U.S. 
Congress where he served four terms as a distinguished Congressman from 
California.
  Always a champion of youth, Bob became the director of the US Olympic 
Training Center in Colorado Springs. He worked there from 1977 through 
1983 and built the center into a showcase for our athletes. Bob then 
served as the Executive Director of the National Fitness Foundation 
until 1987. He is currently the United States Goodwill Ambassador. Bob 
is married to Gwen and lives in Fresno.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with great honor that I pay tribute to Bob 
Mathias. This year is the 50th Anniversary of his Olympic Decathlon 
Gold Medal victory. His dedication and exemplary efforts should serve 
as an inspiration to all. I ask my colleagues to join me in wishing Bob 
Mathias continued success for the future.

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