[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 63 (Friday, May 7, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E787]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E787]]
                   COMMEMORATING SIR ROGER BANNISTER

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM RYUN

                               of kansas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 6, 2004

  Mr. RYUN of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to commemorate the 
accomplishments of Sir Roger Bannister.
  Roger Bannister is best known as the man who ran the miracle mile. He 
was the first man in recorded history to break the four-minute mile 
barrier.
  Until the time of his accomplishment, virtually no one thought it 
possible that a man could run that fast. But, it was through his 
athletic ability and technical knowhow that Roger Bannister persevered 
to run the miracle mile.
  Bannister attended Oxford University to study medicine. His spare 
time was devoted to the track and he soon became an accomplished middle 
distance runner.
  Despite the naysayers, Bannister believed that with perseverance he 
could run faster than anyone before him. He used his knowledge as a 
physician and painstakingly researched the mechanical aspects of 
running to develop scientific training methods to aid him.
  In 1954, his hard work, discipline, and determination finally paid 
off as he sprinted to the finish line, in a time of three minutes 
fifty-nine point four seconds. That day, his name was forever written 
not only into record books, but into sporting folklore as well.
  It was Dr. Bannister's dedication to excellence that paved the way 
for countless other athletes, including myself, to stretch themselves 
to new levels of achievement.
  In later years Bannister concentrated on medicine, and became a 
consultant neurologist. He continued to run to keep fit right up until 
1975, when he broke his ankle in a motoring accident.
  Today marks the 50th anniversary of his historic run. I hope this day 
can serve as a testament to young people everywhere that with 
perseverance and discipline, they too can achieve goals others never 
dreamed possible.

                          ____________________