[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 31 (Saturday, February 17, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E387]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[[Page E387]]


   TRIBUTE TO ISHPEMING SKI CLUB 120TH ANNUAL SKI JUMPING TOURNAMENT

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                            HON. BART STUPAK

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, February 16, 2007

  Mr. STUPAK. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize one of 
Michigan's Upper Peninsula's greatest most esteemed, and longstanding 
institutions: the Ishpeming Ski Club. Founded in 1887 as the Norden Ski 
Club, the Ishpeming Ski Club is the oldest continuously active ski club 
in our Nation.
  Later this month, the Ishpeming Ski Club will sponsor its 120th 
annual Ski Jumping Tournament. For twelve decades now, skiers from 
across our Nation have convened in Ishpeming to participate in one of 
the oldest ski jumping tournaments anywhere. The Ishpeming Ski Club's 
first tournament was held 120 years ago on February 25 and, this year, 
the Ski Club will hold its tournament on that same date in order to 
honor the 120 years of continuous ski jumping tournaments.
  The city of Ishpeming has a rich heritage that is closely intertwined 
with the history of skiing in the United States. Many ski jumping 
enthusiasts recognize this small town of 7,500 people, nestled just 
outside of Marquette, as the birthplace of American ski jumping. The 
National Ski Association was formed in Ishpeming in 1905. Today, the 
association is called the United States Ski and Snowboard Association.
  While there have been ski jumping competitions at many different 
locations in Ishpeming, in 1926, the tournament began to use its 
current site, which has been the site for the tournament ever since.
  The National Ski Hall of Fame was erected in Ishpeming in 1953 and 
follows the growth and development of the sport of skiing from its 
beginnings nearly 5,000 years ago to the present and beyond. There are 
over 100 displays including the Story of the 10th Mountain Division, 
Ski Fashions Throughout History, and the Development of the Chairlift. 
The placement of the National Ski Hall of Fame in Ishpeming is a 
testament to the formative role the city and its residents played in 
the development of skiing and ski jumping in America and the world.
  The Ishpeming ski jumping site provides some of the best ski jumping 
in the Midwest and, as such, has been used for tryouts for the 
Olympics, as well as hosted numerous nationally acclaimed skiing 
events. In both 1960 and 1963, the Ishpeming ski jump site was used for 
Olympics tryouts. In 1983, the tournament hosted the USA Central 
Division Championships, the Junior Olympic tryouts and the Masters 
Championship all on the same weekend. In 1987, Ishpeming hosted the 
Nordic Combined National Championships.
  Skiing is not only important to the way of life in Ishpeming, but it 
has also helped unite the community. Every year at the Ishpeming annual 
tournament, local citizens and community groups have organized parades, 
dog sled races, princess pageants, dances and balls. This year, the 
Ishpeming Downtown Development Association will sponsor a parade, youth 
dog sled races, fireworks, and a bonfire. In previous years, 
neighboring communities such as Negaunee and nearby businesses such as 
Cleveland Cliffs Mining Company have provided support for the festive 
events that surround Ishpeming's annual ski jump tournament.
  As Ishpeming celebrates its 120th ski jumping tournament, the future 
is bright. Next year, in 2008, Ishpeming's tournament will host the 
Junior Nordic championship and 50 young ski jumpers from around the 
Nation will compete in Ishpeming to be the top American ski jumper in 
their age group.
  Madam Speaker, ski jumping is an ancient sport, but American ski 
jumping developed relatively recent. Its evolution is in many ways a 
uniquely Midwestern phenomenon. I am proud of the way the city of 
Ishpeming and the Ishpeming Ski Club have contributed to the popularity 
of this sport in the United States. I am confident Ishpeming has an 
exciting role to play as this sport continues to evolve in coming 
decades. In the meantime, I respectfully request that the entire U.S. 
House of Representatives join me in congratulating the City of 
Ishpeming and its residents as well as the Ishpeming Ski Club and its 
officers and volunteers on the anniversary of its 120th ski jump 
tournament.

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