[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 97 (Friday, June 27, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1395]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        PAYING TRIBUTE JOE VIGIL

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. SCOTT McINNIS

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 26, 2003

  Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to stand before this body of 
Congress and this nation today to pay tribute to Joe Vigil, a 
nationally known Cross Country/Track and Field coach. Joe helped to 
make Adams State College a powerhouse in track and he will soon be 
inducted into the Rock Mountain Athletic Conference Hall of Fame for 
his accomplishments. His hard work and dedication have influenced the 
lives of many college students and I am proud to recognize his 
accomplishments here today.
  For 27 years, Joe led the Adams State teams to 18 National 
Championships and 89 individual championships. He coached 425 All-
American runners, many of whom ended up competing on the national 
level. Recognized as one of the best coaches in the country, he is 
currently training some of the United States best runners for 
competition in the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece.
  Joe's impact on student-athletes went beyond the track, however, as 
his runner's graduated at a rate of 96 percent. A quality college 
education will always be more important then any National title, a 
lesson Joe passed on to his teams.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to stand today and recognize the 
accomplishments of Coach Joe Vigil. I am happy knowing that Joe has 
made an impressive impact on some of today's youth and I hope that he 
continues his important role in young athletes lives. Thank you, Joe, 
for the contributions you have made to Adams State and the surrounding 
community. I wish you the best of luck on your future endeavors.

                          ____________________