[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 122 (Wednesday, October 4, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1671]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      A TRIBUTE TO LIBBIE HICKMAN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BOB SCHAFFER

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, October 4, 2000

  Mr. SCHAFFER. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize a dedicated 
Olympian from my district who is an inspiration to all athletes. Libbie 
Hickman, a resident of Fort Collins, Colorado, recently earned the 
proud distinction of representing our great nation at the 27th Olympic 
Summer Games in Sydney, Australia. Libbie was the fastest American 
runner in the qualifying race held Wednesday, September 27th, recording 
a time of thirty-two minutes and fifty-nine seconds. This qualifying 
time enabled Ms. Hickman to race in last Saturday's finals where she 
valiantly represented our nation in its quest for gold.
  A graduate of Colorado State University, Libbie Hickman has always 
dreamed of achieving Olympic glory. She first started running at the 
age of eight, racing against her brothers in the front yard as her 
father timed them with his stopwatch. Libbie became serious about her 
running career during her senior year of college, changing her 
specialty from the 1,500 meter race to the 3,000 meter race. However, 
it wasn't until four years later, in 1991, that Libbie Hickman truly 
made her mark by winning the Association of Road Running Athletes 
(ARRA) circuit title. Since then, Libbie has placed in the top ten of 
the finishers in twenty-one of the races in which she has participated. 
In 14 of those races, she finished in the top 5, and in 5 of them, she 
won the event.
  In her spare time, Libbie Hickman is a self-described ``gardening 
freak'' who thinks she might have been a professional gardener if her 
passion for running were not so strong. Passion for her sport has 
driven her to work hard in pursuit of her Olympic dream. This passion 
was on display Wednesday as she led the American team to a qualifying 
spot in the 10,000 meter finals. Libbie finished 10th in her heat, and 
20th overall. She was the only American woman who qualified to go to 
the finals on Saturday. While Libbie did not win the race, she won our 
hearts and proved herself a fierce and respected competitor, and an 
inspiration to the people of Colorado, and the entire nation.
  It is with great pride that I stand today to congratulate one of 
Colorado's genuine Olympic heroes. Libbie Hickman is a true American 
heroine. She has displayed courage and perseverance in the tireless 
pursuit of excellence. She has competed on the world's biggest track 
and given her all to fulfill her Olympic dream. She has made us proud.

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