[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 19 (Thursday, February 28, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E236]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       RECOGNIZING STEW FLAHERTY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. PATRICK J. TIBERI

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 28, 2002

  Mr. TIBERI. Mr. Speaker, all of us were thrilled to watch Jill Bakken 
and Vonetta Flowers make history by winning a Gold Medal in the first-
ever women's bobsledding competition at the Winter Olympics. But there 
might not have been a Gold Medal, or even a women's bobsledding event, 
without Stew Flaherty of Westerville, OH.
  After meeting two of the U.S. athletes in a Westerville gym 7 years 
ago, Stew spearheaded a campaign to make the women's bobsled an Olympic 
sport. He organized a letter writing campaign to pressure the 
International Bobsled and Skeleton Federation and the International 
Olympic Committee to include the event in the Salt Lake City games. 
Along with others, Stew helped build the sport internationally by 
convincing other countries to create teams.
  As women's coach Bill Tavares told the Columbus Dispatch, ``Without 
Stew's support we wouldn't be here.'' And to quote Gold Medalist Jill 
Bakken, ``Stew's role was huge. He was supporting us when no one else 
was.''
  Stew Flaherty's efforts show that with hard work and a never-give-up 
attitude, you can move mountains. Or in Stew's case, make it possible 
for others to win Olympic gold.

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