[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 78 (Thursday, June 7, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5985-S5987]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  STATEMENTS ON SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 47--RECOGNIZING THE INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC 
COMMITTEE FOR ITS WORK TO BRING ABOUT UNDERSTANDING OF INDIVIDUALS AND 
DIFFERENT CULTURES, FOR ITS FOCUS ON PROTECTING THE CIVIL RIGHTS OF ITS 
PARTICIPANTS, FOR ITS RULES OF INTOLERANCE AGAINST DISCRIMINATORY ACTS, 
        AND FOR ITS GOAL OF PROMOTING WORLD PEACE THROUGH SPORTS

  Mrs. MURRAY (for herself, Mr. Stevens, Mrs. Feinstein, and Mr. 
Breaux) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was 
referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation:

                            S. Con. Res. 47

       Whereas the United States has been actively engaged as a 
     member of the International Olympic Committee (in this 
     resolution referred to as the ``IOC''), which was formed in 
     1894 to implement the goals of modern Olympism;
       Whereas the Olympic Charter for the IOC contains 
     fundamental principles of modern Olympism, including--
       (1) ``Olympism is a philosophy of life, exalting and 
     combining in a balanced whole the qualities of body, will and 
     mind. Blending sport with culture and education, Olympism 
     seeks to create a way of life based on the joy found in 
     effort, the educational value of good example and respect for 
     universal fundamental ethical principles'';
       (2) ``The goal of Olympism is to place everywhere sport at 
     the service of the harmonious development of man, with a view 
     to encouraging the establishment of a peaceful society 
     concerned with the preservation of human dignity.'';
       (3) ``The goal of the Olympic Movement is to contribute to 
     building a peaceful and better world by educating youth 
     through sport practised without discrimination of any kind 
     and in the Olympic spirit, which requires mutual 
     understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity and 
     fair play''; and
       (4) ``The activity of the Olympic movement . . . reaches 
     its peak with the bringing together of athletes of the world 
     at the great sports festival, the Olympic Games'';
       Whereas the IOC has adopted a Code of Ethics that 
     recognizes the dignity of the individual as one of its 
     primary guarantees;
       Whereas to safeguard the dignity of participants, the IOC's 
     rules require nondiscrimination on ``the basis of race, sex 
     ethnic origin, religion, philosophical or political opinion, 
     marital status or other grounds'';
       Whereas the IOC's Code of Ethics specifically prohibits any 
     ``practice constituting any form of physical or mental 
     injury'' and ``all forms of harassment against participants, 
     be it physical, mental, professional or sexual'';
       Whereas an integral part of the IOC's Olympic Charter, Code 
     of Ethics, and rules requires the following of strict 
     guidelines in selecting a host city for an Olympic Games;
       Whereas included in the IOC's rules are comprehensive and 
     precise selection criteria and methods by which to assess a 
     candidate's application;
       Whereas the IOC's Evaluations Commission evaluates and 
     compares, among the candidates, 11 different areas of site 
     analysis, including government support and public opinion, 
     critical infrastructure availability, finance, security, and 
     experience;
       Whereas the IOC has made environmental conservation the 
     third pillar of Olympism, with the other pillars being sport 
     and culture;
       Whereas the IOC requires host cities to conduct an 
     environmental impact statement, consult with environmental 
     organizations, and implement an environmental action plan for 
     the Olympic Games;
       Whereas a primary goal of the IOC is world peace and 
     understanding, and, in pursuit of the goal, the IOC strives 
     to maintain a separation of sports from international 
     politics;
       Whereas the IOC's Olympic Charter, Code of Ethics, and 
     rules consistently address the IOC's quest to separate 
     politics and sports;
       Whereas Rule 9 of the IOC's Olympic Charter states that 
     ``the Olympic Games are competitions between athletes in 
     individual or team events and not between countries'';
       Whereas new members of the IOC take an oath upon membership 
     that avers in part ``to comply with the Code of Ethics, to 
     keep myself free from any political or commercial 
     influence'';

[[Page S5986]]

       Whereas the IOC's Code of Ethics states that ``the Olympic 
     parties shall neither give nor accept instructions to vote or 
     intervene in a given manner with the organs of the IOC'';
       Whereas the IOC is involved in humanitarian affairs through 
     its involvement with the United Nations High Commissioner for 
     Refugees, the United Nations Development Programme, 
     International Labour Organization, and the International 
     Committee of the Red Cross; and
       Whereas following the issuance of the Report of the Special 
     Bid Oversight Commission, the ``Mitchell Commission'', both 
     the United States Olympic Committee and the IOC ratified a 
     number of reforms regarding the selection of Olympic Games 
     host cities: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring), That Congress--
       (1) recognizes the IOC for the Committee's--
       (A) work to bring about understanding of individuals and 
     different cultures;
       (B) focus on protecting the civil rights of its 
     participants;
       (C) rules of intolerance against discriminatory acts; and
       (D) goal of promoting world peace through sports;
       (2) encourages members of the IOC from the United States to 
     abide by all rules of the IOC when considering and voting for 
     host cities for future Olympic Games;
       (3) recognizes that any government action designating a 
     preference or displeasure with any Olympic Games candidate 
     host city is inconsistent with the IOC's Olympic Charter, 
     Code of Ethics, and rules; and
       (4) endorses the concept of the Olympic Games being a 
     competition between athletes in individual or team events and 
     not between countries.

  Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, I come to the floor today to submit a 
resolution in support of the Olympic Games, and in particular, in 
support of Olympic athletes.
  The United States has a proud Olympic Games history. Thousands of 
Americans have represented our country at the Summer and Winter Games.
  Numerous U.S. cities have hosted the Games. And cities all across our 
country hope to host the Olympic Games in the future just as Salt Lake 
City will host the Winter Games next year.
  Let me share with my colleagues the story of one Olympian from my 
home state. Her name is Megan Quann.
  Late last year, following the Sydney Summer Games, more than 1,000 
people crowded the streets of Puyallup, Washington to see and to 
celebrate Megan Quann.
  At the time, Megan was a 16-year-old junior at Emerald Ridge High 
School. She had just returned from Australia where she shocked the 
world by winning two Olympic Gold Medals in the swimming competition.
  Megan's hometown was ecstatic. October 29 was officially declared 
``Megan Quann'' day in Puyallup. She was honored through town in a 
parade that was led by local Cub Scouts, Brownies, and swimmers from a 
local club.
  On that day, Megan's community erupted in pride in the 
accomplishments of a young athlete, a neighbor and a classmate.
  It was a great day for Puyallup and for Washington state. 
Unfortunately, I was not there. But, like most of my constituents, I 
followed Megan at the Olympics, and I cheered as she set a new American 
record in one of her events.
  And like all Americans, I was so proud of her as she stood on the 
medal stand--awestruck in her achievement--as the national anthem of 
our country played in the background.
  Mr. President, I don't think any of us ever tire of seeing an 
American athlete being recognized as an Olympic champion.
  We can't help but be moved when we see one of our own standing 
there--often with tears in their eyes--and the American flag on display 
for the whole world to see.
  The Olympic Games can be an enormously patriotic experience for the 
athletes and all of us who watch the competitions. But the Olympics 
aren't just about patriotism. They are also about bringing different 
people together to share in competition.
  Many Americans know the story of the Lithuanian basketball team which 
was embraced by the world following the collapse of the Soviet Union.
  And, of course, the Jamaican bobsled team is famous for its efforts 
to compete in the Winter Games.
  Time and again, we have seen Olympic athletes support each other in 
competition. They give their support freely, without consideration for 
nationality, religion, politics, or sex.
  That devotion to sport is at the heart of the Olympic Movement 
worldwide and that celebration of sport is one reason why more than a 
thousand of my constituents came out to celebrate Megan Quann's 
achievements at the Sydney Olympic Games.
  I have come to the floor to introduce a resolution which will 
hopefully ensure that another athlete like Megan can dedicate her life 
to the Olympic dream without the fear of seeing that dream die at the 
hands of political interference from the U.S. or elsewhere.
  In working on this issue, I have reached out to Olympians. I am proud 
that in my own State, there are more than 180 Olympians, including 46 
who competed at the Sydney Summer Games.
  Nationwide, there are some 8,000 living Olympians, I appreciate the 
willingness of Washington's Olympians to review this resolution and to 
share their input.
  And I appreciate the many other Olympians who have shared their views 
on the issues now before the United States Congress.
  It is abundantly clear to me that U.S. Olympians do not want the 
Congress to mix politics with sport.
  Most Olympians do not want the Congress to introduce or consider any 
legislation regarding the Olympic Games.
  I agree with them. I too wish the Congress would not inject itself 
into the Olympic Movement.
  Unfortunately, U.S. politicians have once again decided to mix 
politics with the Olympics. We only need to look back a short 20 years 
to see the painful and costly results of politicizing the Olympics.
  In 1980, a generation of young Olympians did not get to participate 
in the Moscow Games due to the U.S. boycott.
  More than 5,000 athletes--including more than 1,000 Americans--did 
not get to participate in the 1980 Moscow Summer Olympic Games.
  Approximately 25 athletes from Washington state were barred from the 
1980 Moscow Summer Games.
  We have received strong support from this group of very special 
athletes, and I want to mention a few today.
  I particularly want to thank Caroline Holmes. Caroline was a 1968 
Olympic Gymnast. She is now the Chapter President of the Washington 
State Olympic Alumni Association. She is a champion for Olympic 
athletes, and I very much appreciate her assistance.
  Jan Harville was a 1980 Olympian. She was on the rowing team. Today, 
she's the women's crew coach at the University of Washington. She's 
still very active with her fellow 1980 Olympians.
  Paul Enquist from Seattle was also a rower on the 1980 team. Paul was 
able to compete and win a gold medal in the 1984 Los Angeles Games.
  Matt Dryke was a skeet shooter on the 1980 team. Matt also went on to 
compete in later Olympic Games. In 1984, he won a Gold Medal.
  Wendy Boglioli and Camille Wright were two swimmers on the 1980 team. 
Wendy ended her Olympic career when the U.S. boycotted Moscow.
  Here's what Wendy had to say when asked about once again mixing 
politics with the Olympic Games:

       It would be wrong for the Congress to interfere in the 
     Olympic site selection process. I was there in 1980.
       I was one of 50 athletes invited to meet at the White House 
     with President Carter regarding the Moscow Olympics.
       I am still upset that athletes had no voice in the 1980 
     decision. Mixing politics with the Olympics will only hurt 
     future athletes.

  The 1980 Olympic Boycott was difficult for this country. Athletes 
sued the United States Olympic Community.
  The Government threatened the U.S. Olympic Committee, and the 
President pressured other world leaders to join the U.S. led boycott.
  Lost in the political squabble were U.S. athletes and for some, a 
lifetime of commitment and preparation.
  The Soviets, as we know, boycotted the 1984 Los Angeles Games. And 
again, the athletes were the victims. Consider this fact: In the 1980 
Moscow Games, the East German team won the women's 4 by 100 relay race 
with a time of 41.60 seconds.
  At the 1984 Los Angeles Games, the US team won the same relay race 
with a time of 41.65 seconds. The U.S. and East German teams were 
within five one-hundredths of a second.
  Knowing all of this, I wish these two great Olympic champion relay 
teams

[[Page S5987]]

could have competed against one another in Olympic competition. It is a 
sad part of our history that politicians kept this great race from 
happening in the Olympics.
  With the benefit of history, we know that the Olympic boycotts were 
futile and ineffective attempts to settle cold war disputes.
  I believe we should do absolutely all that we can to ensure this 
never happens again.
  No one can foretell the future and what actions might be called for 
to protect our country's national interest, but we should never again 
lose sight of the interests of our athletes.
  Unfortunately, Members of Congress are politicizing the Olympic 
Games. My resolution has one primary objective--to separate politics 
from sport and particularly from the Olympic Games. Simply put, I 
believe politics has no place in the dreams of future Olympians.
  I want to thank Senator Ted Stevens for joining me in this effort. 
Senator Stevens has a long history of involvement with the Olympic 
Movement.
  I am not aware of another elected official in this country who has 
done more for U.S. athletes than Senator Stevens. And I thank the 
Senator for once again standing up for the interests of U.S. athletes.
  The Murray/Stevens resolution on the Olympics has a number of key 
provisions and clauses. However, I want to focus on three sections 
which represent the real intent of our bill.
  First, our resolution encourages members of the International Olympic 
Committee to abide by all rules of the IOC when considering and voting 
for host cities for future Olympic Games.
  Members of the IOC take an oath which requires individual members to 
keep free from political influence.
  Our resolution calls upon the four members of the International 
Olympic Committee from the United States to reject all political 
influences on their work as members of the IOC, including their votes 
on host cities for future Olympic Games.
  Second, our resolution recognizes that any government action 
designating a preference or displeasure with any Olympic Games host 
city is inconsistent with the IOC's Charter, Code of Ethics and rules.
  Essentially, this provision says the IOC should not acknowledge or 
consider any political interference in the host city selection process 
for future Olympic Games.
  And finally, our resolution says the Olympic Games are about the 
athletes, that we do endorse the concept that the Olympic Games are a 
competition between athletes in individual and team events and not 
between countries.
  We believe the Olympic Games are best left to the athletes. It is 
that simple.
  I encourage my colleagues to consider this issue carefully in the 
days ahead. And I invite all Senators to join me in seeking to reject 
political interference in the Olympic Movement.
  I yield the floor.

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