[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 28 (Tuesday, March 6, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1895-S1896]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             THE ELEVENTH ANNUAL NATIONAL SPORTSMANSHIP DAY

 Mr. CHAFEE. Mr. President, today is the 11th annual National 
Sportsmanship Day, a day designated to promote ethics, integrity, and 
character in athletics. I am pleased to say that National Sportsmanship 
Day was a creation of Mr. Daniel E. Doyle, Jr., Executive Director of 
the Institute for International Sport at the University of Rhode 
Island. Participation this year will include more than 12,000 schools 
in all 50 States and more than 101 countries.
  This year, organizers of the National Sportsmanship Day aim to 
promote appreciation for the critical role of ethics and fair play in 
athletics, and indeed, in society in general, through student-athlete 
outreach programs. I believe this mission is of critical importance, 
and I commend the athletes, coaches, journalists, students, and 
educators who are engaged in today's activities.
  As part of the day's celebration, the Institute selects Sports Ethics 
Fellows who have demonstrated ``highly ethical behavior in athletics 
and society.'' This year, the Institute will honor such renowned 
athletes as Mia Hamm, member of the U.S. national soccer team and 
Washington Freedom of the Women's United Soccer Association; Sergei 
Fedorov, three-time All-Star with the Detroit Red Wings; and Lenny 
Krayzelburg, three-time gold medal U.S. Olympic swimmer. Grant Hill, a 
past Sports Ethics Fellow and five-time All-Star with the Orlando 
Magic, will talk about the importance of fair play both on and off the 
court to approximately 700 students at Rolling Hills elementary School 
in Orlando, FL.
  Another key component of National Sportsmanship Day is the Student-
Athlete Outreach Program. This program encourages high schools and 
colleges to send talented student-athletes to local elementary and 
middle schools to promote good sportsmanship and serve as positive role 
models. These students help young people build self-esteem, respect for 
physical fitness, and an appreciation for the value of teamwork.
  If all those activities were not enough, the Institute has begun 
another avenue to promote understanding and good character for 
youngsters. A program called ``The No Swear Zone'' was instituted in 
1998 to encourage teams and coaches to sign a pledge to stop the use of 
profanity in sports and everyday life.
  I remain very proud that National Sportsmanship Day was initiated in 
Rhode Island, and I applaud the students and teachers who are 
participating in the events of this inspiring day. Likewise, I 
congratulate all of those at the University of Rhode Island's Institute 
for International Sport, whose hard work and dedication over the last 
eleven years have made this program so successful.

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