[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 1 (Wednesday, January 23, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E9]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                    PAYING TRIBUTE TO KARI DISTEFANO

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. SCOTT McINNIS

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 23, 2002

  Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, it is truly a privilege to take this 
opportunity to pay tribute to Kari Distefano, a woman whose competitive 
spirit and unrelenting will has taken her to the top of her field as a 
runner, and distinguished her as one of this country's greatest 
athletes. Her incredible accomplishment of being named U.S.A. Track and 
Field's top women's mountain runner of the year is a testament not only 
to her incredible natural abilities, but to her unparalleled work ethic 
and indomitable human spirit.
  This incredible honor is the manifestation of a life-long passion, 
and could not have been bestowed upon a more deserving individual. In 
September of 2001, Kari competed in the World Mountain Running Trophy 
Race in Udine, Italy, finishing with the top U.S. rank, and placing 
21st overall in a field that included competitors from over 30 
countries. She has been named an alternate for the United States Track 
and Field Team, and recently broke a course record at the 37-kilometer 
Grand Junction Rim Rock Run. Her training grounds are the hills of 
Telluride, Colorado, but she has proven that her dominance extends far 
beyond these local hills.
  Mr. Speaker, it is quite clear that Kari is a person of unparalleled 
dedication and commitment to her life-long pursuit of running at a 
world-class level. It is not only her incredible talent, but her 
unrelenting passion for competition and her unconquerable human spirit 
that I wish to bring before this body of Congress. She is a remarkable 
woman who has reached extraordinary heights in her pursuit of 
excellence in athletics and in life. It is my distinct pleasure to 
honor her today, and wish her the best of luck in all of her future 
endeavors. You have truly made this country proud.

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