[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 28 (Tuesday, March 7, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E300]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       NATIONAL SPORTSMANSHIP DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES R. LANGEVIN

                            of rhode island

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 7, 2006

  Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of the 16th annual 
National Sportsmanship Day, which is celebrated today around the world.
  National Sportsmanship Day raises awareness about issues relating to 
sportsmanship and ethics in athletics as well as daily life. Athletic 
competition can teach students, coaches, and parents valuable lessons 
that can be applied on and off the field. With increased pressure to 
succeed placed upon today's athletes and students, the importance of 
ethics, honesty and fair play have never been more necessary.
  Given the heightened demand for accomplishment in today's society, 
the idea of participation and fitness in many aspects of sport is often 
lost. Forgetting this important basis of athletic competition, students 
often are forced to maintain a `win at all costs' mentality. Each year, 
the Institute for International Sport, based in my district in 
Kingston, Rhode Island, provides the opportunity to counter these 
notions through meaningful dialogue among school administrators, 
coaches, teachers, and students on the subject of ethics, fair play and 
sportsmanship.
  The 16th annual National Sportsmanship Day strives to foster 
sportsmanship through the defeat of gamesmanship, the practice of 
ethically dubious methods to gain an objective. Through activities and 
discussions, more than 13,000 schools throughout the United States and 
around the world will participate in these events to spread honest 
athletics.
  Each year, National Sportsmanship Day recognizes a number of athletes 
who offer a tribute to their respective sport and enhance their skills 
with their desire to play fairly. This year, the Institute for 
International Sport has selected their Sports Ethics Fellows from a 
number of players, coaches, and school administrators at the high 
school level. With both their simultaneous pursuit of academic and 
athletic excellence, they model and promote the virtues of the student-
athlete in the truest sense.
  I hope that my colleagues can join with me on this day in celebrating 
and promoting the continued success of National Sportsmanship Day. With 
its moral, ethical and fitness components, today's activities can 
promote a healthy and more active community amongst our nation's youth, 
and support a team oriented future for our country of sports 
enthusiasts.

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