[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 21 (Monday, March 4, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E250]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


 IN RECOGNITION OF THE FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN TO WIN A GOLD MEDAL IN A 
                            WINTER OLYMPICS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 4, 2002

  Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate an American 
athlete, Vonetta Flowers who accomplished a crowning achievement by 
winning a gold medal for the United States during the 19th Winter 
Olympic Games in Salt Lake City, Utah. The accomplishment is made so 
more notable in that Vonetta Flowers became the first American of 
African descent to win a gold medal for the United States in a Winter 
Olympic Games.
  Ms. Vonetta Flowers won a gold medal along with her teammate, Jill 
Bakken, in the inaugural women's Olympic bobsled race. Ms. Flowers is a 
native of Helena, Alabama. She is the daughter of Jimmie and Barbara 
Jeffery and is married to Johnny Mack Flowers.
  Ms. Vonetta Flowers attended Jackson-Olin High School in Birmingham 
Alabama where she was The Athletic Congress (TAC) champion, an All-
State basketball star, and a member of the Birmingham Strider Track 
Club. She went on to be a four year-letterwinner in track and field at 
the University of Alabama-Birmingham (UAB). She achieved prominence as 
a seven-titleholder in the 100 meters, 200 meters, long jump, and 
triple jump throughout her illustrious career at UAB. She received her 
Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education in 1997. Since 
graduation, she has returned to Birmingham to coach the track team at 
the University of Alabama-Birmingham.
  Ms. Vonetta Flowers' path to Winter Olympic gold is storied one. 
After failing to qualify for the 2000 United States Olympic team, she 
was given a flier found by her husband indicating that someone was in 
need of versatile athletes interested in the bobsled. Flowers tried out 
and eventually raced with Bonny Warner amassing a top 10 in all seven 
World Cup races in 2000-2001 and closed the season with four straight 
top-three finishes--earning them a third-place finish in the overall 
World Cup Standings.
  After the 2001 season, Vonetta Flowers started racing with Jill 
Bakken, a former Oregon State soccer player turned bobsleder. On 
Tuesday 19th, 2001, they sled into the history books as the fastest 
women on a bobsled at the Winter Olympic Games.
  I share the view of Ms. Vonetta Flowers as she spoke on the interview 
podium. She said ``I didn't know I was the first. I hope this won't be 
the end of it. I hope you'll see other African-American girls and boys 
who want to give winter sports a try . . .'' Ms. Vonetta Flowers, the 
Congress of the United States of America salute you. The American 
people salute you.

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