[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 114 (Friday, September 22, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1574]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E1574]]
INTRODUCTION OF A RESOLUTION CONGRATULATING NANCY JOHNSON, A NATIVE OF 
 DOWNERS GROVE, IL, ON WINNING THE FIRST GOLD MEDAL OF THE 2000 SUMMER 
                   OLYMPIC GAMES IN SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JUDY BIGGERT

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 22, 2000

  Mrs. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor Nancy 
Johnson, a native of Downers Grove in the 13th Congressional District 
of Illinois, for making history this past weekend.
  Nine years after being advised to retire due to nerve damage in her 
arms and legs, Nancy Johnson overcame the odds to win not just a gold 
medal, but the very first gold medal of the 2000 summer Olympic games 
in Sydney, Australia. Nancy struck gold in the women's 10 meter air 
rifle competition.
  Like all Olympic events, the competition was tough and came down to 
the wire. In fact, it came down to the final 10 shots. Neither Nancy 
nor the 7 other final round competitors blinked, budged or crumbled 
under the pressure. But, when it was all over, Nancy had edged out Cho-
Hyun Kang of Korea by two-tenths of a point.
  But Nancy's story is even more impressive than her Olympic triumph. 
Her victory is the story of perseverance. Her medal-winning performance 
was the culmination of years of hard work, dedication, competitiveness 
and, most importantly, family.
  Nancy first took up the sport of shooting as a teenager. She and her 
father, Ben Napolski, often shot together at the Downers Grove junior 
rifle club. Ben and Diane, Nancy's mom, also lent their support while 
she competed innumerous competitions, including the 1996 Olympics in 
Atlanta where she finished 36th in her sport. Tragically, Diane passed 
away before she could see her daughter's magnificent accomplishment. 
But Ben, and Nancy's husband Ken, were there in Sydney to provide 
support, advice and gold-winning embraces.
  Nancy Johnson's Olympic performance and shooting achievements also 
have helped to raise the level of awareness and appreciation for 
women's sports throughout the United States. her love for a sport not 
typically associated with women serves as an inspiration for all of us, 
regardless of age or gender, to participate in activities we might not 
otherwise. Her performance also reminds us that participation in sport 
provides women, as well as men, with a means to gain the experiences, 
self-confidence and skills that are needed to succeed in all other 
endeavors.
  Nancy's gold medal-winning performance epitomizes the goals and 
ideals of the Olympics. These goals, which have not changed since 
antiquity, include a commitment to a goal, grace under pressure, unity, 
perseverance, fair play and good will toward fellow competitors. Most 
of all, her performance teaches us that Olympic competition is about 
the quest for excellence.
  In closing, Mr. Speaker, Nancy Johnson has honored her family,her 
native home town of Downers Grove, her native state of Illinois and her 
country through her dedication to excellence and high achievement. More 
important, this young woman has left her mark in history. I ask that my 
colleagues join me in saluting her achievement and all that for which 
it stands.

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