[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 42 (Tuesday, April 12, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E616]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        SALUTING SNOWSHOE RESORT

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. NICK J. RAHALL II

                            of west virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 12, 2005

  Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to salute Snowshoe Resort and 
its adaptive skiing program's extensive commitment to enabling disabled 
persons to enjoy the recreation of alpine sports.
  The Snowshoe Resort adaptive skiing program, under the direction of 
Dave Begg, has been very active in providing opportunities for a wide 
range of disabled persons and has seen continued growth over the past 
decade. The program uses certified Professional Ski Instructors of 
America, trained in adaptive skiing, to teach many disabled persons to 
ski, including those with spinal cord injuries, amputations, cerebral 
palsy, sight and hearing impairments, traumatic brain injury, and 
development disorders.
  Snowshoe has worked in cooperation with the Challenged Athletes of 
West Virginia organization to improve the quality of life for persons 
with disabilities through outdoor sports and recreation. This 
organization has sponsored training events at Snowshoe for the adaptive 
skiing program and is actively involved in creating other outdoor 
recreational opportunities for disabled persons for not only their 
enjoyment, but also as part of a rehabilitation process.
  The program also works extensively with veterans of past wars and 
those returning from our current conflicts abroad, for which this 
program should be commended for providing our soldiers with ample 
opportunity to continue a healthy lifestyle through outdoor recreation.
  Each student who enters into the program is worked with on a one-on-
one basis by a professional instructor as well as with help from one of 
the many volunteers who come to assist the program. There is a 
multitude of equipment for the adaptive skiers to choose from when they 
hit the slopes, so that they may find what they feel is the most 
comfortable to use while skiing.
  The adaptive skiing program at Snowshoe has continually provided a 
venue for disabled persons to maintain an active and healthy lifestyle, 
and I wish to honor them for this. I implore my fellow members to join 
me in honoring Snowshoe Mountain Resort and also to encourage all ski 
resorts to follow the example of Snowshoe Mountain in promoting the 
equal opportunity for all disabled persons to participate in sports.

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