[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 18 (Wednesday, February 27, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S1249]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       ERIC BERGOUST APPRECIATION

  Mr. BURNS. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize Eric Bergoust, a 
distinguished freestyle skier from Missoula MT. At the age of 31, Eric 
has attained nearly every milestone that inspires athletes to achieve 
their dreams. He is an Olympic champion, a world champion, and has held 
numerous world records throughout his career. As impressive as his 
accomplishments are, the passion Eric has for his sport is truly 
remarkable. Passion shines brightest through innovations, and Eric has 
made many. He has landed unprecedented jumps throughout his career, and 
has developed a one-armed take off style that has opened up new 
possibilities to all freestyle skiers.
  Like so many of his fellow Montanans, Eric has achieved great things 
through both his appreciation of the virtues of a will-do attitude and 
the determination to follow through on a task. These assets led Eric 
down the seemingly improbable path from a boy jumping off the roof of 
his house into a matress pile, to a young man driving alone from 
Montana to Lake Placid with only makeshift skis and ten dollars in his 
pocket, to an Olympic and world champion. It has been exciting to see 
Eric accomplish so many things. But when I consider the determination 
and passion that have pushed Eric along, it has become clear that maybe 
his path really wasn't so improbable after all.

                          ____________________