[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 42 (Wednesday, March 17, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2875-S2876]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     DOUG SWINGLEY'S WINNING OF THE ALASKAN IDITAROD SLED DOG RACE

 Mr. BURNS. I rise today to bring attention to Doug Swingley's 
second victory in the Alaskan Iditarod. Doug hails from Simms, Montana, 
where he raises and trains his dogs.
  As you all know, the Alaskan Iditarod is a grueling dog sled race 
from Anchorage to Nome, Alaska. The race covers 1,161 miles and is run 
in some of the harshest weather in the world.

[[Page S2876]]

  Doug Swingley began mushing in 1989 with plans of running the 
Iditarod. He ran his first Iditarod in 1992 and was the top-placing 
rookie hat year. He has competed in every Iditarod race since 1992 and 
won the event for the first time in only his third attempt. I am sure 
that Doug's second victory will disappoint my good friends Senators 
Stevens and Murkowski, because Doug is the only non-Alaskan to win the 
Iditarod. He has proven that a kid from Montana can take on our friends 
from the North and beat them at their own game and win.
  Like his first victory, Doug pulled his team away from the 
competition, and showed incredible speed through the final stages of 
this demanding race. I am impressed by his dedication and hard work, 
and I am proud to know that Montana is full of people like 
Doug.

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