[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 59 (Tuesday, May 12, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S4711]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         MONTANA POLE VAULTERS

  Mr. BAUCUS. Mr. President, I rise to take a moment to share with the 
Senate the remarkable accomplishments of some truly ``high fliers.''
  All of us in this body travel to schools and encourage tomorrow's 
leaders to ``aim high.'' Last week, three Montana pole vaulters did 
just that and the result was that collegiate and high school records 
fell.
  Three extraordinary women, all from my hometown of Helena, made a bit 
of history.
  On the collegiate level, Helena High Graduate and University of 
Montana freshman Nicole Zeller twice set new Big Sky Conference records 
in the pole vault, first by clearing 11 feet 10 inches, and then, 
improving her own record with a vault of 12 feet, \1/2\ inch.
  Meanwhile, two Helena high school students--one from my and Senator 
Roth's alma mater, Helena High, the other from Capital High--were 
registering the two best vaults in the nation this year. One of them 
set a new national record for high school pole vaulters.
  Not only did Shannon Agee of Helena High set a new national record. 
She beat the old one by a mile. She vaulted 13 feet and eclipsed the 
old record by a full incredible five inches.
  On the same day, Capital High senior Suzanne Krings cleared 12 feet 6 
inches, giving her the second-best vault in the nation this year.
  So today, Mr. President, I extend my congratulations to Shannon, 
Suzanne and Nicole for showing all of us how to soar.


                       THE VERY BAD DEBT BOXSCORE

  MR. HELMS. Mr. President, at the close of business yesterday, Monday, 
May 11, 1998, the federal debt stood at $5,487,765,423,650.36 (Five 
trillion, four hundred eighty-seven billion, seven hundred sixty-five 
million, four hundred twenty-three thousand, six hundred fifty dollars 
and thirty-six cents).
  Five years ago, May 11, 1993, the federal debt stood at 
$4,241,563,000,000 (Four trillion, two hundred forty-one billion, five 
hundred sixty-three million).
  Ten years ago, May 11, 1988, the federal debt stood at 
$2,511,066,000,000 (Two trillion, five hundred eleven billion, sixty-
six million).
  Fifteen years ago, May 11, 1983, the federal debt stood at 
$1,257,970,000,000 (One trillion, two hundred fifty-seven billion, nine 
hundred seventy million).
  Twenty-five years ago, May 11, 1973, the federal debt stood at 
$453,530,000,000 (Four hundred fifty-three billion, five hundred thirty 
million) which reflects a debt increase of more than $5 trillion--
$5,034,235,423,650.36 (Five trillion, thirty-four billion, two hundred 
thirty-five million, four hundred twenty-three thousand, six hundred 
fifty dollars and thirty-six cents) during the past 25 years.

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