[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 29 (Thursday, March 14, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E347]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO NORM HOFFMAN

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. WILLIAM M. THOMAS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 14, 2002

  Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to memorialize my friend and 
former colleague, Norm Hoffman, who was killed in a road accident one 
year ago today.
  Bakersfield suffered a significant loss with the death of Norm 
Hoffman. Norm was an extraordinary main in many ways, and he left his 
mark deep on the Bakersfield community. The Bakersfield City Council 
has officially designated March 16 as Norm Hoffman Day, and this 
Saturday, Norm will also be honored by the dedication of a memorial on 
the Bakersfield College campus where he was a beloved teacher to 
hundreds of students both inside and outside of the classroom.
  Norm was a dedicated athlete and fitness enthusiast. He was 
distinguished early by his athletic ability, but didn't find his real 
love, cycling, until later in life. As a college student, Norm was the 
NCAA champion in the half-mile at Oregon State and only a hamstring 
injury kept him from competing for a spot on the 1964 Olympic Team. In 
the 1970's, Norm took up and excelled at bodybuilding, winning the Mr. 
Kern County abdominal muscle group award and bulking up to 260 pounds. 
However, he found his greatest athletic success and enjoyment when he 
began cycling after age 40.
  The list of Norm's successes in cycling go on and on: four-time 
national champion in the 40 kilometer time trials; three national and 
world records; and consideration for a place on the 1988 Olympic time 
trials team at age 46. The most important of his achievements; however, 
is also his legacy: a whole generation of local cyclists who were 
inspired to take up the sport from his example. Norm's influence on the 
community is clearly visible. Chances are that most of the many 
cyclists you'll see on the bike path on Saturday morning owe their 
involvement in the sport to Norm Hoffman.
  Norm was a familiar sight to many of us in Bakersfield, as he cycled 
to and from Bakersfield College greeting his many friends with a wide 
grin. His determination, vitality, boundless energy and dedication to 
others are devoutly missed, but despite his absence, Norm continues to 
serve as an inspiration and as a role model to the many people who knew 
his indomitable spirit.

                          ____________________