[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 10 (Tuesday, February 8, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S493]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 254--SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF THE OLYMPICS

  Mr. CAMPBELL submitted the following resolution; which was referred 
to the Committee on the Judiciary

                              S. Res. 254

       Whereas for over 100 years, the Olympic movement has built 
     a more peaceful and better world by educating young people 
     through amateur athletics, by bringing together athletes from 
     many countries in friendly competition, and by forging new 
     relationships bound by friendship, solidarity, and fair play;
       Whereas the United States Olympic Committee is dedicated to 
     coordinating and developing amateur athletic activity in the 
     United States to foster productive working relationships 
     among sports-related organizations;
       Whereas the United States Olympic Committee promotes and 
     supports amateur athletic activities involving the United 
     States and foreign nations;
       Whereas the United States Olympic Committee promotes and 
     encourages physical fitness and public participation in 
     amateur athletic activities;
       Whereas the United States Olympic Committee assists 
     organizations and persons concerned with sports in the 
     development of athletic programs for amateur athletes;
       Whereas the United States Olympic Committee protects the 
     opportunity of each amateur athlete, coach, trainer, manager, 
     administrator, and official to participate in amateur 
     athletic competition;
       Whereas athletes representing the United States at the 
     Olympic Games have achieved great success personally and for 
     the Nation;
       Whereas thousands of men and women of the United States are 
     focusing their energy and skill on becoming part of the 
     United States Olympic Team, and aspire to compete in the 2000 
     Summer Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia, and the 2002 
     Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City, Utah;
       Whereas the Nation takes great pride in the qualities of 
     commitment to excellence, grace under pressure, and good will 
     toward other competitors exhibited by the athletes of the 
     United States Olympic Team; and
       Whereas June 23 is the anniversary of the founding of the 
     modern Olympic movement, representing the date on which the 
     Congress of Paris approved the proposal of Pierre de 
     Coubertin to found the modern Olympics: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) supports the goals and ideals of the Olympics;
       (2) calls upon the President to issue a proclamation 
     recognizing the anniversary of the founding of the modern 
     Olympic movement; and
       (3) calls upon the people of the United States to observe 
     such anniversary with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

  Mr. CAMPBELL. Mr. President, today I introduce a resolution to 
recognize and support the United States Olympic Committee and the 2000 
Olympic Games.
  There are several reasons why I have a particular interest in the 
Olympic Movement and the U.S. Olympic Committee. I am the only Olympian 
in the United States Senate and Congressman Jim Ryun and I are the only 
two current Members of Congress to have been members of an Olympic 
Team.
  Years ago, I founded the U.S. Olympic Caucus with former Senator Bill 
Bradley and former Congressman Tom McMillan. In addition, the United 
States Olympic Committee is headquartered in Colorado Springs, 
Colorado, along with the Olympic Training Center. Many athletes are 
currently training at that facility for future Olympic Games and 
especially in preparation for the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, 
Australia.
  As I look back on the 1964 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan, I remember 
how proud I was to be on the U.S. Olympic Team. Carrying the United 
States flag in the closing ceremonies was one of the greatest 
experiences of my life. I remember how proud I was to be an American 
and an Olympian. I hold that moment in my heart and relive it at each 
new Olympic Games to this day.
  The Olympic motto is ``Swifter, Higher, Stronger'' and with that 
ideal, the Olympic Movement brings out the very best in all of us--
athletes and spectators alike. I believe, along with the U.S. Olympic 
Committee, that competition and the athletes are the heart and soul of 
the Olympic Movement. This is the reason that I offer this resolution 
today.
  The United States Olympic Committee is to be highly commended for the 
prompt and decisive action it took after accusations of inappropriate 
solicitations surfaced. I know how much good the games do for young men 
and women and for our country. I am convinced the U.S. Olympic 
Committee has done everything in its power to get to the bottom of 
allegations, punish those who deserve it, and return the focus of the 
Olympic Movement back where it should be, with the athletes.
  Most people don't realize that unlike many of the world's Olympic 
teams, the U.S. Olympic Team gets not one dime of federal money to 
subsidize its sports operations. Our Olympic Team is solely supported 
by the contributions of millions of Americans and American businesses 
and corporations which are dedicated to the Olympic Movement.
  The Olympic Movement will endure and prosper only by the continued 
vigilance and the ongoing commitment of organizers and supporters, and 
by our unwavering support of the athletes who are the future of the 
modern Olympic Games.
  As we begin the countdown towards the first Olympic Games of the new 
millennium, my resolution would designate June 23, 2000, as Olympic Day 
in recognition of the anniversary of the founding of the modern Olympic 
Movement. I urge my colleagues to support prompt passage of this 
resolution.




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