[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 105 (Monday, July 29, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1422]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    PAYING TRIBUTE TO WARREN BYSTEDT

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. SCOTT McINNIS

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 26, 2002

  Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to 
recognize an outstanding individual from Grand Junction, Colorado. Over 
the years, Warren Bystedt has grown to love cross-country running and 
he continues to run competitively today at the age 72. It is a great 
pleasure today, to honor Warren Bystedt for his numerous achievements 
and accomplishments before this body of Congress and this nation.
  Earlier in Warren's life when he was an amateur boxer, he trained 
consistently, but avoided running because he disliked that element of 
conditioning. Today the Grand Junction resident has a different view, 
and can be seen pounding the pavement diligently every morning. 
Warren's passion for running has motivated him to train everyday for 
fifty or so yearly races. Gus said, ``If I didn't start my morning with 
that, (run) I wouldn't know what to do.'' Warren provides the same 
determination and thoroughness to his daily activities and events.
  Warren consistently finishes among the top in the sixty or seventy 
and older of age divisions in races throughout the country. His 
competitive nature comes from his earlier days as an amateur boxer when 
he lost only seven of seventy bouts fighting in the flyweight division. 
A long time educator and administrator in Minnesota, Illinois, and 
Iowa, he took up running after taking a hard look at his family history 
noting that his brothers and father all died of heart attacks and not 
wanting to suffer the same fate, he began running around his 
neighborhood in Davenport, Iowa, in 1979. Grand Junction, Colorado, has 
given Warren the optimum climate in which to run on a year-round basis 
and he is an active member the Mesa Monument Striders.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise to acknowledge the work and contributions of 
Warren Bystedt, a distinguished citizen and role model for his 
community. His achievements are impressive, and it is my honor to 
recognize his accomplishments today. Best wishes to Warren, and good 
luck on all your future races.

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