[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 132 (Thursday, October 19, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S10798]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO JENNY THOMPSON

 Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire. Mr. President, I rise today to 
congratulate Jenny Thompson of Dover, New Hampshire on her magnificent 
performance in the Sydney Olympic games. Her hard work and dedication 
through three Olympics is an example for all of us, and the people of 
New Hampshire are extremely proud of her success.
  Jenny has done so much throughout her career to make the people of 
Dover and New Hampshire proud during her distinguished career. Whether 
it was breaking records at Stanford University or winning numerous 
competitions, Jenny has set the standard for women's swimming in the 
United States over the past decade. Jenny's Olympic teammates often 
cite her achievements as their inspiration for striving for excellence 
in the pool.
  During the Sydney games, American swimmers brought home an impressive 
33 of a possible 96 swimming medals, more than any other nation, and 
Jenny played a key role in that amazing success. She anchored two gold 
medal-winning relays and brought home her first individual Olympic 
medal, a bronze in the 100-meter freestyle. These blistering 
performances brought Jenny's individual Olympic medal count to nine, 
breaking Bonnie Blair's record for Olympic medals won by an American 
woman. Jenny performed beautifully under amazing pressure and against 
tough competition, and she will always be a champion in the eyes of the 
people of New Hampshire.
  As Jenny ends her Olympic swimming career, I wish her all the best as 
she heads to medical school. I am confident her amazing work ethic and 
dedication to excellence will serve her well in her career in medicine 
and any other endeavor she pursues. It is truly an honor to represent 
Jenny in the U.S. Senate.

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