[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 77 (Monday, June 19, 2000)]
[House]
[Pages H4651-H4652]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF THE OLYMPICS

  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee 
on International Relations be discharged from further consideration of 
the resolution (H.Res. 259) supporting the goals and ideals of the 
Olympics, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from New York?
  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, reserving the right to object, 
I believe the House needs to understand why we are proceeding with this 
bill in an expeditious manner.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield to the distinguished gentleman from New York 
(Mr. Gilman).
  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 259, a 
measure to support the goals and ideals of the Olympics. June 23 is the 
anniversary date on which the Congress of Paris approved the proposal 
to found the modern Olympics. This resolution recognizes the value of 
the Olympic games, calls for Congress and the American people to 
observe the anniversary, and for the President to issue a proclamation 
in observation.
  The Committee on International Relations readily supported this 
resolution. I want to commend the gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Ryun) for 
introducing the measure. The Olympics showcases amateur athletes, and 
our country should encourage the spirit of competition and achievement 
exemplified by these games.
  I thank the gentleman for yielding.
  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, further reserving the right to 
object, I yield to the gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Ryun).
  Mr. RYUN of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, first I would like to express my 
thanks to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman) for bringing this 
bill before the Committee on International Relations and to the House 
floor today.
  House Resolution 259 recognizes the goals and ideals of the modern 
Olympic movement as propounded by Pierre de Coubertain, particularly 
the spread of a better and more peaceful world through sports. On June 
23, the Olympic community will recognize this anniversary, so the 
timing of this bill on the House floor today could not be better.
  Mr. Speaker, in September, millions of Americans will gather around 
their televisions to watch our Olympians compete in Sydney. Who among 
us can forget the amazing feats of the Olympians throughout the years. 
While each of us has our own memories of the greatest Olympic moment, 
the Olympics gives this Nation the collective sense of oneness and 
pride that many times is lost in the worlds of professional sports and 
business and politics. Through the years, U.S. athletes have not only 
been outstanding standard-bearers of the Olympic ideal, but they have 
consistently been among the world's best in the athletic arena.
  I had the distinct privilege to represent my country three times in 
the Olympic games. Each experience was different, but each represented 
the opportunity to put on the uniform that read USA. Not long before I 
attempted

[[Page H4652]]

 to qualify for the 1964 games in Tokyo, I was a 17-year-old high 
school student who did not really know what the Olympic games were all 
about. While many remember the 1968 games in Mexico City, the unrest 
and the civil rights movement, I also remember the countless world 
records and Olympic records set during the track and field competition. 
In 1972, I watched in horror as Israeli athletes tragically lost their 
lives to the hands of terrorists. The games did go on, most importantly 
to show that terrorists would not break the spirit of the Olympic ideal 
of a more peaceful world.

                              {time}  2100

  In 1972, I also had a personal tragedy as the favorite in the 1500 
meters for the United States; and with the world watching, I was 
tripped and fell and was not knocked out of the competition. I cannot 
begin to describe the anger and disappointment I felt at that moment. 
However, I no longer feel that was a tragedy. Rather, I point to that 
event as a turning point that taught me there was more to life than 
running. It brought to new life the importance of God and family in my 
life.
  Every Olympian has their own stories to overcoming long odds and 
personal triumph, regardless of whether they stood on the podium and 
received a medal. It is my honor to stand on the House floor in their 
place.
  Mr. Speaker, as we look toward the next century of the Olympic Games, 
I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring our Olympic athletes and 
coaches along with their families and supporters.
  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, continuing my reservation, I 
would like to make a few additional points.
  First, I would like to congratulate the gentleman from Kansas (Mr. 
Ryun), on behalf of all of us in the House for being a distinguished 
Olympian in and of himself, and it proves once again the greatness of 
this country, that a person like the gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Ryun) 
would get a chance to work in the Olympics and then come and be in the 
Olympics of legislation.
  We are delighted. The Olympics obviously are a significant event for 
all nations to share in the accomplishments of men and women in the 
area of athletics.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the chairman of the Committee on 
International Relations, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman), for 
expediting this matter, and the gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Ryun) for 
bringing it to our attention. We strongheartedly endorse it.
  Mr. Speaker, I withdraw my reservation of objection.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Ose). Is there objection to the request 
of the gentleman from New York?
  There was no objection.
  The Clerk read the resolution, as follows:

                              H. Res. 259

       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 
     winter Olympic 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 House of Representatives--
       (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.

  The resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________