[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 66 (Wednesday, May 24, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E822]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  IN HONOR OF ESTHER KIM AND KAY POE ON THE OCCASION OF THE 2000 U.S. 
                        OLYMPIC TAEKWONDO TRIALS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 23, 2000

  Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
Esther Kim and Kay Poe of the US Taekwondo team, who recently 
participated in the U.S. Olympic Taekwondo Trials in Colorado Springs, 
Colorado. Ms. Kim and Ms. Poe deserve this body's special recognition 
for their outstanding display of courage and sportsmanship.
  Ms. Poe was set to fight her best friend Esther Kim, whom she has 
known for thirteen years, in the final match of the tournament, when 
Ms. Kim then made a most monumental decision, which will undoubtedly 
affect the lives of both taekwondo stars forever. Knowing that Ms. Poe 
was injured and unable to fight competitively, Ms. Kim forfeited the 
women's flyweight championship match and title in honor of her best 
friend.
  Ms. Kim's ``bow down'' ended her chances of competing for the U.S. in 
Sidney this September at the Olympic Games. Mr. Speaker, this action 
clearly demonstrates Ms. Kim's courage and conviction, as well as her 
indescribable admiration and love for a friend.
  Ms. Kim believed that Ms. Poe had worked harder at the sport and 
deserved the opportunity to represent her country. Poe was seeded 
number one in the world, while Ms. Kim was ranked tenth.
  Rather then dishonoring her best friend by defeating an injured 
opponent, Ms. Kim chose to respect not only Ms. Poe's ability in the 
sport, but her determination in defeating her semi-final opponent after 
suffering an injury.
  The Olympic Games are a pillar for international unity, as a plethora 
of athletic ambassadors compete for a chance to bring back a medal of 
outstanding athletic achievement for their respective nations. The U.S. 
teams' goals are very similar, in that our athletes make great 
sacrifices, with the hope that their efforts will be rewarded with a 
medal that can be brought back to our grateful nation.
  Ms. Kim's father, Mr. Jin, who trained both Ms. Poe and Ms. Kim was 
honored by his daughter's decision. He believed that both athletes 
emerged victorious, as they worked together in honoring the team's 
final Olympic birth.
  I salute Ms. Poe and Ms. Kim for their dedication and sacrifice and I 
ask my colleagues to join me in commending both Esther Kim and Kay Poe 
for their efforts at the U.S. Olympic Taekwondo Trials in Colorado 
Springs, Colorado.

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