[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 151 (Wednesday, October 21, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2280]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




KAREN THORNDIKE--FIRST AMERICAN WOMAN TO SAIL SINGLEHANDEDLY AROUND THE 
                                 WORLD

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. NORMAN D. DICKS

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 20, 1998

  Mr. DICKS. Mr. Speaker, yesterday when I was home in my congressional 
district, I had the great pleasure of meeting a Washington State native 
who recently became the first American woman to sail singlehandedly 
around the world. In a heroic voyage that took her just over 2 years, 
Karen Thorndike fought off serious illness and the relentless elements 
of nature in circumnavigating the globe unassisted on her 33,000-mile 
journey. She set a remarkable example of perseverance and determination 
as she piloted her 36-foot yacht ``Amelia'' around the five great capes 
of the world: Cape Horn, Cape of Good Hope, Cape Leeuwin, South East 
Cape of Tasmania, and South West Cape of New Zealand. I was proud to be 
in Port Angeles, WA, yesterday as the Mayor and City Council proclaimed 
October 19, 1998, as Karen Thorndike Day in honor of this courageous 
woman. It was a great day for Port Angeles, and I wanted to share with 
my colleagues in the House of Representatives the text of the 
proclamation that Mayor Gary Braun presented on behalf of the City 
Council, so that Karen Thorndike can serve as an example of courage, 
determination, and perseverance.

           Proclamation in Recognition of Karen Thorndike Day

       Whereas, Karen Thorndike, the first American woman to solo 
     circumnavigate the world, is a native of Washington State; 
     and
       Whereas, This American pioneer in her 36-foot yacht 
     ``Amelia'', survived winds and waves of terror south of the 
     five Great Capes of the world: Cape Horn, Cape of Good Hope, 
     Cape Leeuwin, South East Cape of Tasmania, and South West 
     Cape of New Zealand; and
       Whereas, Karen Thorndike is only the seventh woman in the 
     world to sail alone in open ocean around the globe; and
       Whereas, Karen Thorndike overcame serious illness off the 
     Falkland Islands, and completed her historic journey of more 
     than 33,000 nautical miles by returning to San Diego, 
     California on August 18, 1998, two years and two weeks after 
     departing San Diego; and
       Whereas, Karen Thorndike became a role model for youth and 
     adults all over the world by her inspirational example of 
     perseverance against the relentless elements of nature.
       NOW, THEREFORE, I, GARY BRAUN, Mayor, on behalf of the City 
     Council of Port Angeles, do hereby proclaim October 19, 1998, 
     to be ``Karen Thorndike Day'' in Port Angeles in recognition 
     of her extraordinary journey in which she became the first 
     American woman to solo circumnavigate the globe.
                                                       Gary Bruan,
                                                 October 19, 1998.

     

                          ____________________