[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 110 (Friday, September 8, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Page S9249]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 IN MEMORIAM OF CONGRESSMAN BOB MATHIAS

  Mrs. Boxer. Mr. President, today I rise to honor the life of 
Congressman Robert ``Bob'' Mathias Olympian, Congressman, and San 
Joaquin Valley son. Congressman Bob Mathias passed away on September 2, 
2006.
  Bob Mathias was born in Tulare, CA, on November 17, 1930. Mr. Mathias 
attended and graduated from Tulare Union High School in 1948. In 1953, 
he graduated with his bachelor of arts degree from Stanford University, 
and in 1954 he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, where he rose to the 
rank of second lieutenant. In 1966, he was elected to the U.S. House of 
Representatives for the 18th Congressional District that also included 
his hometown of Tulare, and continued his service until 1974.
  By all accounts such impressive accomplishments would be considered 
aspects of a fruitful life. However, Mr. Mathias was also a gifted 
athlete. Mr. Mathias' athletic career was laden with accomplishments, 
including consecutive gold medals in the Olympic decathlons, four 
national Amateur Athletic Union--AAU--championships, and three world 
records in the decathlon. Seventeen-year-old Bob Mathias first competed 
in the 1948 London Summer Olympics, only months after picking up the 
sport. He became the youngest Olympic gold medalist, winning the 
decathlon. His meteoritic rise in 1948 led to his depiction on the 
cover of LIFE magazine and the Sullivan Award for Athlete of the Year 
from the AAU. At the 1952 Helsinki games, Mr. Mathias again won the 
gold medal in the decathlon, and continued to make history as the first 
person to ever win consecutive Olympic decathlons. That same year Bob 
Mathias was named the Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year 
recognition of his feats on the track and on the football field. Mr. 
Mathias was also a member of the 1952 Stanford football team, playing 
an integral part of that team that went on to the 1952 Rose Bowl.
  His athleticism and accomplishments earned him a place in the U.S. 
Olympic Hall of Fame, as well as the National Track and Field Hall of 
Fame. He also went on to guide younger generations of athletes as the 
Director of the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, the 
National Fitness Foundation, and the American Kids Sports Association.
  Throughout his life, Congressman Mathias remained a humble man, true 
to his roots, dedicated to his family and his country, unfazed by fame. 
As a young child, Mr. Mathias battled anemia and other illnesses. His 
perseverance in athletics and academics despite these problems no doubt 
prepared him for his work later in life. After his athletic career and 
service in the Marine Corps, Bob Mathias served as a goodwill 
ambassador for youth programs on behalf of the U.S. Department of 
State. His service to his country continued in his dedication to the 
constituents of the 18th Congressional District.
  Congressman Mathias is survived by his wife Gwen; his 4 daughters, 
Romel, Megan, Marissa, and Alyse; his son Reiner; his 10 grandchildren; 
his sister Patricia; and his two brothers, Jim and Eugene. I extend my 
deepest sympathies to his family.
  Congressman Mathias will be missed by his family, his friends, his 
fans and all those whose lives he touched. May his kindness, humility 
and hard work remain an inspiration to us all.

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