[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 22 (Tuesday, March 5, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E255]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[[Page E255]]



               CONGRATULATING OLYMPIC MEDALIST DANNY KASS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MARGE ROUKEMA

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 5, 2002

  Mrs. ROUKEMA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Danny Kass, 
a great American Olympian from Hamburg, New Jersey. Danny thrilled 
America by winning a silver medal in the men's snowboarding halfpipe at 
the 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake City, Utah.
  Danny, the youngest member of the 2002 U.S. Olympic Men's 
Snowboarding Team, began his career on the slopes of Mountain Creek Ski 
Resort in Vernon, New Jersey, and continues to hold on to his New 
Jersey roots. He has made all of us so proud.
  Danny's outstanding skill at the age of 19 is truly amazing. His 
talent was showcased for the entire world in Salt Lake this month. And 
although we may not all understand the intricacies of scoring the 
halfpipe competition, I think we can all agree that after watching 
Danny ride on Monday, February 11th, we knew we had seen a medal-
winning performance. Sure enough, Danny was awarded the silver medal as 
he joined his two American teammates on the podium for a rare American 
sweep.
  The exuberance of our American medalists was contagious. The country 
felt their excitement that day, and had a glimpse of how it feels to be 
rewarded for excelling at a sport you love. Danny Kass just couldn't 
stop smiling and the crowd just couldn't stop cheering.
  Although this was not Danny's first win in a snowboarding 
competition, I'm sure it will be a memorable one for him. Since he 
began snowboarding in Vernon, New Jersey, and competing on the slopes 
of Vermont, Danny has claimed titles in several impressive events, such 
as the Overall Men's U.S. Grand Prix Halfpipe, the X-Games Halfpipe and 
the U.S. Olympic Halfpipe.
  This weekend, we congratulate Danny on the New Jersey slopes where he 
first learned to snowboard. The Mountain Creek Ski Resort in Vernon 
will host a ``Specialty Sport Pro/Am Halfpipe Jam'' to honor Danny.
  Through his dedication and pure love of the sport of snowboarding, 
Danny has earned the Olympic silver medal and the respect of his peers 
and fellow countrymen.
  I urge my Colleagues to extend to Danny Kass warm wishes and 
congratulations. On behalf of our State of New Jersey, I extend to 
Danny our thanks for representing us so well in Salt Lake.

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