[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 39 (Thursday, April 11, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E500]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      GREATEST WINTER OLYMICS EVER

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                               speech of

                           HON. JIM MATHESON

                                of utah

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, April 9, 2002

  Mr. MATHESON. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise 
today to congratulate the people of Salt Lake City and the State of 
Utah, as well as athletes from around the world for a successful 19th 
Winter Olympics. I express my appreciation for the hard work by the 
thousands of volunteers of what has been described as the world's 
greatest Winter Olympics ever.
  The Games showed how as Americans, we have not given up, but have 
rallied around our national-- and international--banners. Over 27,000 
people served as volunteers during the games. Volunteers made up almost 
the entire cast of the opening and closing ceremony performances. 
Doctors, nurses, businessmen, housewives, and even teenagers worked for 
17 straight days to make sure this event was one that no one would ever 
forget.
  Mr. Speaker, I hope that as Members of this body watched the Games on 
television that they too saw what I saw: People from throughout the 
world coming together to celebrate the spirit of fair competition and 
sport. I appreciate the work of the Congress and the President to 
ensure that the games ran smoothly and securely. It is my hope that the 
Salt Lake Olympic Games will be an example for the world of how to host 
a large, safe, secure, and successful international event.

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