[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 56 (Wednesday, May 10, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E765]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      TRIBUTE TO THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FLINT OLYMPIAN GAMES

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                          HON. DALE E. KILDEE

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 9, 2006

  Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join 
me in congratulating the Flint Olympian Games as it celebrates 50 years 
of promoting physical fitness and sportsmanship. Events commemorating 
this anniversary will be held throughout the summer in my hometown of 
Flint, Michigan.
  Conceived 50 years ago as a finale to the summer athletic program for 
Flint students, the Games have grown into a community wide experience. 
Frank Manley and the Flint School District Community Education 
Directors held the first planning meeting to organize the Games in 
1956. The following year 1500 students participated in 6 sports. Today 
the Games involve 11,000 contestants active in 22 sports. Encompassing 
the entire family the Games have become a tradition among generations 
of Flint residents.
  The opening ceremonies will be held on July 11 at Flint Central High 
School followed by a fitness walk and field day. The competitions will 
commence on that date and continue through July 22 at locations 
scattered throughout the community. An awards dinner will be held on 
July 27 to honor the participants and volunteers that have organized 
and sponsored this event. The amateur athletes will go on to 
participate in the 49th annual CANUSA Games. The CANUSA Games is a 
competition held between the residents of Flint and its sister city, 
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. The CANUSA Games foster goodwill between the 
citizens of both communities. Held on alternate years in each 
community, this year the CANUSA Games will take place in Flint on 
August 11, 12 and 13. For many of the participants this is their first 
exposure to persons from another country.
  In addition to the actual sports competitions, the organizers have 
also planned a banquet to be held in June and a golf outing for July. 
The 50th Flint Olympian Games Celebration is a joint celebration 
sponsored by the Flint Community Schools, Citizens Blue Ribbon 
Committee, Greater Flint Olympian-CANUSA Association, City of Flint, 
the Ruth Mott Foundation and the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation. The 
50th Anniversary Games will be dedicated to the founders, Mr. and Mrs. 
Charles Stewart Mott and Mr. and Mrs. Frank Manley.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in applauding the dedication of the many 
volunteers and contestants that come together each year in the 
atmosphere of camaraderie to promote the ideals of sportsmanship, 
physical well being and friendly competition. Their vision of families 
playing and working together to accomplish goals is to be commended.

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