[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 7 (Tuesday, February 5, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E77]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO THE SHEA FAMILY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN B. LARSON

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 5, 2002

  Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute 
to 2002 Winter Olympian Jim Shea, Jr., of West Hartford, Connecticut. 
Shea Jr. took second place at a World Cup race in December earning him 
one of the three spots on the U.S. Men's Skeleton Team in the Winter 
Olympic Games.
  This recent victory and the gaining of a berth on the Olympic team 
are only the latest accomplishments in a distinguished athletic career. 
He won a gold medal at the National Championships in 1996. Shea was the 
top finisher for the U.S. in every race of the 1998-1999 season. He was 
first American to win a gold in the Skeleton World Cup in 1998 and the 
first American to win the Skeleton World Championships in 1999. He also 
won gold at the Inaugural Winter Goodwill Games in Lake Placid in 2000. 
Shea finished third in the overall World Cup standings for 2000-2001.
  Perhaps even more captivating than Shea's athletic record is his 
family history. When Jim Shea Jr. qualified for the Olympic team, the 
Sheas became the first family in American history to send 3 generations 
to the Winter Olympics. The Nelson family accomplished the same feat 
with the Summer Olympics in the sport of cycling. Jim's father, Jim 
Shea Sr., competed in Nordic skiing in the 1964 Olympic Games. Jack 
Shea, Jim Jr.'s grandfather, won two gold medals in speed skating at 
the 1932 Olympic Games in Lake Placid. Jack was also selected to 
compete in the 1936 Winter Olympics, to be held in Germany, but refused 
to participate in protest to Hitler's persecution of the Jews. Jack 
symbolized true Olympic sportsmanship, and in Jim Jr.'s words, Jack 
``always felt it was not who won the gold; it was about bringing the 
world together in a peaceful setting.''
  Unfortunately, Jack Shea will not be able to see his grandson compete 
in the Games. Jack was killed in a drunk driving accident in his 
hometown of Lake Placid last week. I would like to honor the Shea 
family for their great spirit of participation and sportsmanship, and I 
wish Jim Jr. good luck in Salt Lake City.

                          ____________________