[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 150 (Friday, November 2, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1997]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E1997]]
PERMANENT ENDOWMENT CEREMONY OF FRED LEBOW STATUE, FOUNDER OF NEW YORK 
                             CITY MARATHON

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOSE E. SERRANO

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, November 1, 2001

  Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, it is with joy and pride that I rise today 
to pay tribute to the permanent endowment ceremony of the Fred Lebow 
monument, to honor the late founder of the great New York City 
Marathon, the world's greatest marathon which will take place on 
November 4, 2001.
  Seven years ago, Mr. Daniel S. Mitrovich spearheaded the effort to 
honor Fred Lebow, founder of the New York City Marathon, by erecting a 
statue of the visionary athlete. I was honored to have been a part of 
the monumental event that commemorated the creator of this great race. 
Fred Lebow, as Director of the New York City Road Runners Club, Inc., 
founded the marathon and nurtured it from a 126-runner race to one the 
largest and most well-known marathons in the world. This year, the 
grand monument will be waiting at the finish line to greet weary 
runners and will later find a permanent home at the 67th Street 
entrance to Central Park, fulfilling the promise Mr. Mitrovich made 10 
years ago when he said that he would ensure that a statue of Fred Lebow 
would someday stand in Central Park.
  Mr. Speaker, I am grateful for the continued dedication of the New 
York Road Runners Club, Inc. and the New York City Marathon Tribute 
Committee. Their work is essential to maintaining the spirit of the New 
York City Marathon and helps fuel the great spirit of the city itself. 
The New York City Marathon has never been more important than it will 
be this year. Organized under the theme ``United We Stand,'' this race 
of endurance and power represents the will and essence of the city, New 
Yorkers, Americans, and of peace-loving people all over the world. We 
are all indebted to Mr. Lebow, who lost his battle with brain cancer on 
October 9, 1994, for organizing and fostering a great athletic and 
humanitarian event and the permanent endowment of his likeness in 
Central Park is fitting and worthy of celebration. Also, as proof of 
his accomplishments, Mr. Lebow was inducted in the 2001 National 
Distance Running Hall of Fame.
  The New York City Marathon has united people across all walks of life 
since its inception 31 years ago because it is both a test of 
perseverance and a celebration of life. Runners vary in athletic 
ability, age, race and religion but share a common desire to run New 
York City. This year, runners will share something else as well. They 
will share an understanding that they are integral parts of New York's 
resurrecting spirit and perhaps that knowledge will energize flagging 
feet as they cover the great length of New York City. The sense of 
unity among the human family will be invincible when over 30,000 
runners from around the world join in New York City to bond with it as 
only runners can do.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Fred Lebow's life 
achievements and the permanent endowment of his statue in Central Park, 
as well as commending the continued efforts of Daniel Mitrovich to 
preserve the integrity and excellence of the New York City Marathon.

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