[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 38 (Thursday, March 30, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E471]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  CONGRATULATING KIMMIE MEISSNER ON HER PERFORMANCE AT THE 2006 WORLD 
                      FIGURE SKATING CHAMPIONSHIPS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENJAMIN L. CARDIN

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 30, 2006

  Mr. CARDIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me 
in congratulating Kimmie Meissner, who on Saturday, March 25, won the 
gold medal in Ice Skating at the 2006 World Championships in Calgary, 
Alberta.
  Kimmie was raised in Bel Air, Maryland, just a few miles from my home 
town of Baltimore. She began skating at age 6, and it was then that she 
began preparing for competition. With the help of coach Pam Gregory, 
Kimmie has trained at the University of Delaware Figure Skating Club 
since she was just 8 years old. In 2004, she won the State Farm Junior 
U.S. Championships. In 2005, she landed the bronze medal at the U.S. 
Championships and became just the second U.S. woman ever to land a 
triple axel.
  Last February, Kimmie represented the United States at the Winter 
Olympics in Torino, placing sixth out of 24 competitors. Along with 
Sasha Cohen and Emily Hughes, she was part of the trio of Americans to 
finish in the top 10. Although it was her first Olympics, Kimmie 
performed beyond all expectations and was confident even in the company 
of her impressive competition.
  On Saturday, however, Kimmie truly shone above all others. Her 
performance was simply amazing; it featured seven triple jumps, 
including the only two triple-triple combinations of the day. It earned 
her a personal best 129.7 points--more than enough to land her first 
place and win the admiration of thousands of fans. Although she entered 
the final program in third place, Kimmie did not let that discourage 
her. Instead, the Fallston High School student whose motto is, ``Do 
what you enjoy; enjoy what you do,'' surprised everyone by winning the 
championship. In doing so, she became the first woman to win the World 
Championships in her first appearance since Oksana Baiul's victory in 
1993.
  Kimmie's performance was special--and I am certain that it will be 
remembered by her family, friends and fans for a long time. ESPN has 
called her victory ``one of the biggest upsets in World Figure Skating 
Championships history.'' After the event, Kimmie remarked, ``Standing 
on the podium and watching the flag . . . was such a proud moment for 
me.'' Mr. Speaker, I want Kimmie to know that she has also made 
Maryland and the United States proud, and I urge my colleagues to join 
me in congratulating her.

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