[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 119 (Wednesday, September 3, 2003)]
[House]
[Pages H7800-H7803]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
CONGRATULATING LANCE ARMSTRONG
Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules
and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 350) congratulating Lance
Armstrong for winning the 2003 Tour de France.
The Clerk read as follows:
H. Res. 350
Whereas Lance Armstrong won the 2003 Tour de France, the
100th anniversary of the race, by completing the 2,125-mile,
23-day course in 83 hours, 41 minutes, and 12 seconds,
finishing 1 minute and 1 second ahead of his nearest
competitor;
Whereas Lance Armstrong's win on July 27, 2003, marks his
fifth Tour de France victory;
Whereas with this victory, Lance Armstrong joined Miguel
Indurain as the only riders in history to win cycling's most
prestigious race in 5 consecutive years;
Whereas Lance Armstrong displayed incredible perseverance,
determination, and
[[Page H7801]]
leadership in prevailing over the mountainous terrain of the
Alps and Pyrenees and in overcoming crashes, illness, hard-
charging rivals, and driving rain on the way to winning the
premier cycling event in the world;
Whereas in 1997, Lance Armstrong defeated choriocarcinoma,
an aggressive form of testicular cancer that had spread
throughout his abdomen, lungs, and brain, and after treatment
has remained cancer-free for the past 6 years;
Whereas Lance Armstrong is the first cancer survivor to win
the Tour de France;
Whereas Lance Armstrong's courage and resolution to
overcome cancer has made him a role model to cancer patients
and their loved ones, and his efforts through the Lance
Armstrong Foundation have helped to advance cancer research,
diagnosis, and treatment, and after-treatment services;
Whereas Lance Armstrong continues to be the face of cycling
as a sport, a healthy fitness activity, and a pollution-free
transportation alternative; and
Whereas Lance Armstrong's accomplishments as an athlete,
teammate, cancer survivor, and advocate have made him an
inspiration to millions of people around the world: Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) congratulates Lance Armstrong and the United States
Postal Service team on their historic victory in the 2003
Tour de France; and
(2) commends the unwavering commitment to cancer awareness
and survivorship demonstrated by Lance Armstrong.
Sec. 2. The Clerk of the House of Representatives shall
transmit an enrolled copy of this resolution to Lance
Armstrong.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Virginia (Mr. Tom Davis) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Bell) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Tom Davis).
General Leave
Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that
all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and
extend their remarks on H. Res. 350.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Virginia?
There was no objection.
Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
may consume.
Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 350 congratulates Lance Armstrong for
winning the 2003 Tour de France, a race many consider the most grueling
sporting event in the world.
Mr. Speaker, on July 27 Lance Armstrong won the incredible 23-day
bicycle race through French mountains, countryside and cities to become
the fifth cyclist in the 100-year history of the race to earn five Tour
de France victories. Even more impressively, Lance won the race for the
fifth consecutive year, becoming only the second person ever to do so.
Since this House recessed for the summer the same weekend as Lance's
victory, I am very proud that on its first day back this distinguished
body is recognizing the inspirational Lance Armstrong and his
unbelievable courage, grit, and determination.
Lance Armstrong, one of the giants of American athletes over the last
decade, was born to a 5'3", 105-pound 17-year-old mother in the suburbs
of Dallas in September 1971.
Growing up, while other classmates were playing football or partying,
Lance spent much of his free time running, riding his bicycle, swimming
and exercising. At the age of 13, Lance began to enter triathalons all
over the U.S. where he biked, ran and swam with the Nation's best.
As a high school senior, Armstrong qualified to train with the U.S.
Olympic team, but ultimately he focused solely on cycling. As a cyclist
he won the U.S. National Amateur Championship in 1991. Over the next 5
years, Lance won 12 bike races, including the World Championships in
1993. By 1996 Lance Armstrong was a top-rated cyclist in the world, but
it was during 1996 after a victory at the Tour DuPont in North Carolina
that he began to feel more fatigue and discomfort than usual, even
after an exhausting race. Later that year he was diagnosed with
testicular cancer. Some of Lance's doctors at the time gave him only a
40 percent chance of surviving. He would say later he thinks that they
were only being nice when they said that.
Lance soon underwent three major operations and chemotherapy to fight
off the disease that had spread to his abdomen, his lungs and his
brain. The treatments were successful; and within a year of being
diagnosed with cancer, he was pronounced cancer free. As a survivor,
Lance has become one of the world's most influential cancer research
advocates. Lance founded the Lance Armstrong Foundation to promote
cancer research and awareness. He also wrote the best selling book,
``It's Not About the Bike: My Journey Back to Life,'' that tells the
full story of how his early successes were interrupted by cancer, how
he survived cancer, and how he eventually returned to racing and won
his first Tour de France in 1999.
This year, having never won the race in his previous five victories
by less than 6 minutes, Lance made his fans sweat a little bit. He
ultimately won the 2,125 mile race by 61 seconds after he endured rain,
fog, heat, illness, and even protesters, not to mention the
indescribably punishing course.
President Bush called to congratulate him on the night of his fifth
straight triumph.
In his book, Lance describes in gut-wrenching detail the miserable
initial symptoms of testicular cancer. He explained the anguish of how
it felt to learn he acquired the deadly disease in 1996 at a point when
his racing career was literally just starting to take off. Perhaps the
following excerpt that describes his life's spirit is the more enduring
words of his book. He said, ``I want to die at 100 years old with an
American flag on my back and the star of Texas on my helmet, after
screaming down an Alpine descent on a bicycle at 75 miles per hour. I
want to cross one last finish line as my wife and my 10 children
applaud, and then I want to lie down in a field of those famous French
sunflowers and gracefully expire: the perfect contradiction to my once
anticipated poignant early demise.''
Mr. Speaker, Lance Armstrong is an incredible role model to all
citizens for his relentless work ethic, unmatched physical fitness that
has helped him become perhaps the greatest cyclist of all time. It is
remarkable that he achieved his great accomplishments in the cycling
world after he overcame cancer, proving to all that a person can not
only defeat cancer, but can thrive after beating it.
Mr. Speaker, Lance turns 32 years old this month, more than 7 years
after he miraculously overcame the cancer that experts said he had less
than a 50 percent chance of surviving. Almost as remarkably, he has
assured all his fans that he is determined to pursue a sixth straight
Tour de France victory next summer. I, for one, cannot wait to cheer
him on.
For all of these reasons, I urge all Members to support the adoption
of House Resolution 350 that commemorates Lance Armstrong's fifth Tour
de France victory.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. BELL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support today of House Resolution 350. Mr.
Speaker, Lance Armstrong, national and world champion cyclist, two-time
Olympian, humanitarian, cancer survivor, and now five-time winner of
the Tour de France, faced his first athletic challenge as a fifth
grader in a second grade swim class. Through his now signature hard
work and determination, Lance Armstrong was eventually put in a swim
class with his own age group and later went on to place fourth in the
1,500 meter freestyle in his State.
At age 13 Lance became a junior triathalon athlete. At age 15, just 5
years after being placed in that second grade swim class, Lance
Armstrong won so many triathalons he made over $20,000 in just one
year. The swimming and running components of the triathalon gave way to
cycling. In his junior year of high school, the U.S. Cycling Federation
invited him to join the 1990 Junior World Championship Team in Moscow.
Born on September 18, 1971, Lance's athleticism was nurtured by his
mother, Linda, a single parent who has been a constant source of
strength and inspiration for Lance. This shy, all-American kid from the
great State of Texas would become only the fifth rider in history to
win the Tour de France five times. In 1991, Lance Armstrong won the
Amateur Cycling Championship. He turned professional in 1992 and
captured 10 titles by 1993. By the mid-1990s he had won the Tour DuPont
twice and was being hailed as the finest U.S. cyclist.
[[Page H7802]]
In 1996, however, he was diagnosed with a very serious form of
cancer. Given only a 50 percent chance of survival, he underwent
surgery and chemotherapy. In one of the more impressive comebacks in
sports history, he returned to cycling in 1998 and reached the pinnacle
of his sport with five consecutive victories in the Tour de France, the
sport's toughest and most prestigious race.
Lance Armstrong is truly in a class by himself and is well-deserving
of this resolution in his honor.
Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers.
Mr. BELL. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
may consume.
Mr. Speaker, again, on behalf of the House, I want to congratulate
Lance Armstrong for his most recent Tour de France win. I urge all
Members to support the adoption of House Resolution 350.
Mr. BELL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from
Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar).
Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise to acknowledge the extraordinary
accomplishment of Lance Armstrong in winning five consecutive Tours de
France.
I have with me the principal newspaper in Paris that follows athletic
events, Le Journal de Paris, whose headline says, ``les Parisiens
etaient la a l'arrivee du Tour,'' `Parisiens were there when the tour
arrived in Paris', and so was I. I made it my point, a long-held dream,
to be on the Champs Elyssees for the final stage of the Tour de France,
as an avid cyclist, to cheer and support Lance Armstrong, whom I have
known for quite some time. I also got to ride the last leg of the tour,
as this newspaper shows 11,000 other cyclists, wearing yellow jerseys
with the logo ``La randonnee du centenaire'' (The Centennial Ride),
riding the Champs Elyssees over the last 40 kilometers of the Tour de
France; and not only that, but I was interviewed on French national
television just quite by accident, I will say to my friend and my
colleague from Texas, in French, and represented the United States I
think very appropriately.
It is impossible to understand the accomplishment of Lance Armstrong
unless one follows the events of cycling and understands the technical
intricacies of the Tour de France. To say that it is like running a
marathon every day for 3 weeks is in itself an understatement of the
athleticism and the strength and the mental toughness that it takes to
lead the tour, to win it five times in a row. And only one other
cyclist in the 100-year history of the Tour de France has done that,
Miguel Indurain of Spain. Three others have won it five times, though
not consecutively; only two have won it consecutively.
Lance Armstrong represented the very best of America, the very best
of athleticism, the very greatest in accomplishment in athletic history
in winning five consecutive Tours de France, and all of America's proud
of him, and I must say that all of France acknowledges his
accomplishment. They recognize great accomplishments and great
achievements on the athletic field and in other arenas as well, but for
this one, Lance stands on the pedestal of history alone.
Mr. BELL. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Doggett).
Mr. DOGGETT. Mr. Speaker, I am here this afternoon principally, as
with our colleague the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar), to
honor my constituent Lance Armstrong. I join in offering hearty
congratulations to a heroic American, Lance Armstrong. This proud
Texan, cancer survivor, public health advocate, Olympian and now five-
time Tour de France champion has captivated the imagination and won the
hearts not only of Texas, but of our Nation and the world. However, I
believe it is fair to say that nowhere is the enthusiasm for Lance's
achievements greater than in his hometown of Austin, Texas.
We have an old French embassy from the days of the Republic of Texas
there, and our relationships with France are good, so we mean no
disrespect in saying that among us Austinites we refer to it as the
``Tour de Lance'' because he has had such success in representing our
State and our country in this world athletic competition.
Lance was in Austin last Sunday night to be honored at the University
of Texas Longhorn football game and victory, and he is honored there
most every day by his many neighbors who applaud his success.
While we are proud to have Lance wear the red, white, and blue of our
country and of the U.S. Postal Service team when he is in a race, we
prefer to see him in yellow, when he crosses that finish line in that
yellow jersey, a sign of courage, a sign of victory. It is appropriate
for Lance's team to be sponsored by the Postal Service: while not faced
with too much snow, despite rain and considerable heat and gloom of
night, he stayed the course as a swift competitor for all of his
appointed rounds.
Lance is a champion, defined not by his setbacks but by his
relentless determination to overcome them. Indeed, this year's victory
particularly was symbolic of the often rocky road that Lance Armstrong
has ridden. Not until after a painful struggle through searing heat and
a frightening crash late in the race did the true fortitude of the real
Lance Armstrong emerge for all to see, a familiar grimace on his face,
avoiding any obstacle in the way and leaving his closest competitors in
the dust. Just as not so long ago when faced with his very steepest
climb in life, Lance persevered and pushed himself to beat daunting
challenges against long odds.
In Austin, we began development of the Lance Armstrong bikeway. This
cross-town trail is a fitting tribute for his accomplishments, and it
will be a safe route for community cyclists and pedestrians who want to
get off the road when they exercise or commute to work. It is one of
the examples of the worthwhile projects resulting from the
transportation enhancements program this House will consider this week.
Lance has joined with those of us who are members of the bipartisan
House cycling caucus on a number of occasions and has been active in
promoting cycling. It is not just the people who wear a yellow jersey
or race competitively who can enjoy the many benefits of cycling.
I hope the House will honor him not only with this resolution today,
but by its actions in maintaining our commitment to the transportation
enhancement program that will be on the floor on Friday.
Lance Armstrong also voices his concern in Austin and here in
Washington through the Lance Armstrong Foundation, a foundation that he
set up to encourage other nonprofits in their efforts to promote cancer
survivorship. They are doing an outstanding job in Texas of raising
this issue in cooperation with other health organizations here in
Washington, D.C.
This Congress can pay tribute to Lance by seeing that we have the
resources dedicated to cancer survivorship that are so very important
to millions of Americans and adopting legislation to advance this
important issue. The Cancer Survivorship and Quality of Life Act
expands and coordinates the activities of the National Institutes of
Health and the Center for Disease Control with respect to cancer
survivorship research.
So to Lance we say thanks for your contributions to our country,
particularly to central Texas, and your inspiration to children, to
cancer survivors and to athletes worldwide. Congratulations on your
success not only on the bike but, most importantly, for all of your
successes in life. You have taught us the importance of survivorship;
it is that we have so much for which to live.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of
Chairman Davis' Resolution H. Res. 350, honoring Lance Armstrong. Mr.
Chairman, I had planned to introduce a similar resolution with 24
cosponsors along with Representative McHugh and Representative Doggett.
I have turned these cosponsors over to Chairman Davis and appreciate
him adding them to his resolution.
Mr. Speaker, today we honor a man who has shown tremendous strength,
courage, and perseverance in his struggle to overcome seemingly
insurmountable odds. Lance Armstrong is a world-class cyclist who came
back from a grueling battle with cancer to dominate in his sport; a man
who has remembered those still battling against cancer and who strives
each day to make a difference in their lives. I am pleased to join in
honoring Mr. Lance Armstrong.
On Sunday, July 27, 2003, Lance Armstrong achieved his fifth
consecutive Tour de France
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victory. The completion of this 23-day, 2,125-mile cycling race is a
significant accomplishment. Yet, even more significant are the odds
that Mr. Armstrong overcame in order to compete in this, his ninth,
Tour de France. After competing in the race from 1993 to 1996, Lance
Armstrong was informed that he had testicular cancer that had spread to
his abdomen, lungs, and brain.
This information was undoubtedly devastating to Lance Armstrong.
However, this man was not about to give up on his life and dreams. He
chose, instead, to fight cancer with all of his strength. He decided
that the disease would not win. It took a long and difficult struggle,
chemotherapy, and surgery, but Lance Armstrong remained strong and
never gave up hope.
Mr. Armstrong is now in recovery, but he continues to fight cancer.
After succeeding against enormous odds, he is now helping others as
they face their own battles with cancer. In 1997 he founded the Lance
Armstrong Foundation, or the LAF. This organization provides support,
information, and services to cancer patients and survivors. Through the
LAF, Lance Armstrong has supported thousands of cancer patients and
survivors by actively advocating for their needs. His books It's Not
About the Bike: My Journey Back to Life and Every Second Counts offer
inspiration to those devastated by this terrible disease. By sharing
his story, Mr. Armstrong has given comfort and hope to untold numbers
of people battling cancer and their families.
Lance Armstrong's battles have only just begun. He continues to fight
cancer through the Lance Armstrong Foundation and to hold his position
as one of the greatest cyclists of all time. He has truly earned the
pride of his coach, Chris Carmichael, his main sponsor, the United
States Postal Service, and all of his loyal fans.
Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I congratulate Mr.
Armstrong on his many tremendous accomplishments, especially his fifth
consecutive Tour de France victory, and wish him all the happiness that
life has to offer. I also want to commend Ms. Sarah Kinneer, a summer
intern of mine, for her work on this Resolution. She worked hard and
did an outstanding job.
Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of
my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Tom Davis) that the House suspend the
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 350.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of
those present have voted in the affirmative.
Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and
nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be
postponed.
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