[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 120 (Monday, October 2, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S9601]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                       NEVADA'S OLYMPIC ATHLETES

 Mr. REID. Mr. President, the 27th Olympiad is now finished, 
and the United States of America should be very proud of our 
participants. They showed the world that Americans put their hearts and 
souls into everything that they do. Part of the reason that I support 
the Olympic tradition is that these special games are a reflection of 
the diversity, brotherhood, and spirit that the United States 
celebrates everyday. I am especially proud of my state and the Olympic 
participants we sent to Sydney, Australia.
  Lori Harrigan, Tasha Schwikert, and Charlene Tagaloa were three 
Nevadan athletes who gave wholly to the U.S. team in their respective 
sports.
  Lori Harrigan, a pitcher for the champion U.S. softball team, helped 
her team bring home a second gold medal in as many Olympic Games. Lori 
has had an amazing softball career for many years now, and since she 
graduated from UNLV, Lori has won 13 international medals for the 
United States. Lori will be remembered in Olympic history as the first 
softball player to pitch a complete no-hitter game, which she 
accomplished this summer in the opening round game. This summer she 
lived up to the legacy that she blazed as a UNLV Runnin' Rebel, and her 
softball accomplishments are properly hallmarked by her retired jersey 
that UNLV has proudly displayed since 1998.
  Las Vegan Tasha Schwikert has been the sweet surprise of the Olympic 
Games. She was not one of the original members of the U.S. gymnastics 
team. However, she was later chosen as a second alternate. An 
unfortunate injury to another gymnast gave Tasha the chance that she 
deserved for an Olympic appearance. Although Tasha didn't medal, she 
still showed the world a strong performance. And because of her youth 
and newly developed international experience, we can expect to see 
Tasha as a leader in future gymnastic competitions.
  The United States women's volleyball team was the underdog of the 
Olympic indoor volleyball competition, and many did not even expect the 
team to contend for a medal in Sydney. With the help of Las Vegan, 
Charlene Tagaloa, the women's volleyball team played in the bronze 
medal math.
  Nevada demonstrated its miulticulturalism during the Olympic Games, 
because six other current or former UNLV Runnin' Rebels competed for 
their native countries. These unique individuals include four swimmers 
and two track runners. These athletes are as follows: swimmers Mike 
Mintenko of Canada, Jacint Simon of Hungary, Andrew Livingston of 
Puerto Rico, Lorena Diaconescu of Romania, and sprinters, Ayanna 
Hutchinson and Alicia Tyson, of Trinidad and Tobago.
  Nevada's contribution to the Olympic Games does not end with the 
efforts of its athletes.
  Karen Dennis is not only the head of the UNLV women's track team, but 
she was chosen to be the U.S. women's track coach. Her talent and 
expertise undoubtedly contributed to the multiple medals and stellar 
performances we saw from the U.S. track team this Olympics.
  Las Vegan Jim Lykins was chosen to be one of the two umpires from the 
United States to referee women's softball. He gleefully did not umpire 
the championship game, because Olympic rules prevent umpires from 
working any games played by their home country. Not being able to 
umpire the championship match was a worthwhile sacrifice for the gold 
medal that we won in the fast pitch softball competition.
  We should all remember the character of the 2000 Olympic Games, both 
the smile evoking and heartbreaking moments, and continue to support 
the Nevadan and American athletes who have the integrity, dedication, 
and ability to represent our nation, now and in the future. 
Congratulations to all of our Olympic participants.

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