[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 19 (Wednesday, February 15, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E160]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING CHICAGO'S 2006 WINTER OLYMPIANS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RAHM EMANUEL

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 15, 2006

  Mr. EMANUEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor the 
Chicago area athletes competing this month in the Winter Olympics in 
Turin, Italy.
  The Olympic Games bring the world together in celebration of the best 
that every nation has to offer. I am proud that five Chicagoans are 
joining the world's best at the 2006 Winter Olympics.
  Chris Chelios is serving as the captain of the men's hockey team for 
the third consecutive Olympics. At 44 years old, Chelios is the oldest 
Olympic hockey player since 1928, but is still expected to be a driving 
force for the Americans. After attending Mount Carmel High School, 
Chelios represented his hometown as a blueliner for the Blackhawks 
throughout most of the 1990s.
  Nineteen-year-old Northwestern University student Margaret Crowley 
has several opportunities to represent her country in speed skating, 
competing in the 3,000 meter and Team Pursuit events. She was the U.S. 
junior champion in 2004 and the runner-up in 2005. In addition to her 
extensive training schedule, Crowley has found the time to study 
economics, French and literature.
  Shani Davis is the first African-American to qualify for the U.S. 
Olympic speed skating team. Shani grew up on Chicago's South Side and 
was inspired by fellow Illinois native Bonnie Blair. Davis also 
competed in the 2002 Salt Lake City Games and was the 2005 World All-
Around Speedskating Champion.
  Ben Agosto is a native Chicagoan who has paired with Tanith Belbin to 
compete in ice dancing in Turin. They are favored to win a medal, which 
would be only the second ever for an American team, and the first in 30 
years. The pair combines salsa, rhumba and cha cha as part of their 
original dance routines on the ice.
  Chicago native Evan Lysacek is competing in his first Games as a 
figure skater. After graduating from Neuqua Valley High School in 
Naperville, he overcame a serious hip injury to land a spot on the U.S. 
team headed to Turin.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I honor these five Olympians 
that are representing the U.S. in Turin. On behalf of my fellow 
Chicagoans and Americans, I wish these elite athletes and all of their 
teammates the best of luck in their respective events, and I thank them 
for representing the United States at the 2006 Winter Olympics.

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