[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 104 (Wednesday, July 27, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1627]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO LANCE ARMSTRONG

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. RANDY NEUGEBAUER

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 26, 2005

  Mr. NEUGEBAUER. Mr. Speaker, Lance Armstrong won an unprecedented 
seventh Tour de France race over the weekend. His life, both on and off 
the race track, is a great example of hard work and perseverance. 
Albert Carey Caswell, a U.S. Capitol Tour Guide, who is also a prolific 
poet, wrote the following poem in tribute to Lance Armstrong and his 
accomplishments. I believe that reading this poem will provide 
encouragement and inspiration to my colleagues as we consider Mr. 
Armstrong's great accomplishments.

                   A Real Fine Tour De Force of Life


    With Heart and Soul, Body and Mind . . . and Legs and Armstrong

     This force, this presence . . . which guides us along life's 
           path and roads . . .
     Directing us from deep down within . . . this burning force, 
           which lasts in life we follow as we go.
     As emanating, from so very deep within our very souls, this 
           voice . . . of this our chosen goal, of this our life's 
           Tour De Force of Life as shows!

     While, riding along life's roads,
     As there upon our paths as rode, embarking on this journey we 
           call life . . . as ever onward we go . . .
     To win the race of life, we all must follow a code of courage 
           and sacrifice . . . until, approaching our final 
           nights, upon this our earth as rode.

     For in the game of life, there is but one thing which makes 
           us bright . . . of which makes us all contenders.
     Just one difference between winning and losing . . . for it's 
           ``The Heart'' from which all great things are so 
           rendered!
     For True Champions come in all shapes and sizes . . . but, 
           it's what's found within their hearts as where lies 
           their true and golden splendor . . .

     While, traveling through life's country sides,
     As over her mountain tops we climb, as along life's rivers 
           which we wind . . . as by her we glide . . .
     In this our most valiant of quests, To Be The Best . . . as 
           before us so lies the answer so . . . Of this great 
           test, within our hearts inside . . .

     Do we get up when we fall down?
     While, upon each new stage in this race called life . . . do 
           our hearts burn bright in our souls as found?
     For in this our greatest of quests, To Be The Best . . . will 
           we one day because of these our precious gifts, perhaps 
           be so Heaven bound?

     In Life . . . to go for the Gold!
     To cheat death, to reach down inside of yourself as your soul 
           stretch . . . until, none is left, oh, so very bold!
     To be a true Champion, To be The Best, to rewrite history and 
           the records books while upon our life's valiant quest . 
           . . as Lance so-Gold.

     A True Great Champion . . . among just mere men.
     A winner, a man of courage . . . of passion . . . of fury and 
           heart . . . from the start . . . to the middle . . . 
           until, the very end!
     A man who knows but only one creed . . . who knows no bounds 
           . . . to push the envelope as he is found . . . as his 
           quest for victory never so ends!

     A Real Fine Tour De Force of Life . . . A Real Tour De France 
           . . . as is this Tour De Lance!
     A True Terminator, among his fellow athletes as a most 
           historic creator . . . as ever onward he'll advance . . 
           .
     For there is no mountain too steep for him to climb, no cure 
           too sharp for him to ride in time . . . with but one 
           thing on his mind, that Golden Chance!

     With Heart and Soul . . . Body and Mind . . . and Legs and 
           Armstrong!
     As this great American Hero, has shown to this our world . . 
           . why, with his character he so belongs . . .
     For in Sir Lancelot, we see this Valiant Knight of Courage's 
           Quest . . . reaching deep down into our souls, as with 
           his tests . . . his sweet life's song!

     While, there looking into the very face of death!
     Pedaling uphill, how Lance achieved the ultimate victory . . 
           . while ``cheating death''. . . in his most valiant of 
           all quests . . .
     But not to lull, but to move ever forward somehow . . . on so 
           courageously now . . . while, to this our world he's 
           shown his very best!

     And, as Lance rides onward into history. . .
     My child, I bid you to learn and see . . . and glean from his 
           life lessons, all about what's within a heart you need!
     What it takes to wind and to succeed, about hope and faith, 
           about character and courage and dedication within great 
           hearts within you to succeed.

     In traveling down the road of life,
     For in Lance, we so see A Great Fine Tour De Force of Life, 
           to so carry with us in our hearts about God and Faith 
           and Sacrifice!
     A true celebration of the Heart and Soul of Courage and Faith 
           . . . and it's true fine worth in Gold, this his A Fine 
           Tour De Force of Life!

           

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