[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 74 (Monday, May 7, 2007)]
[House]
[Pages H4520-H4521]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN SENIOR GAMES ON ITS 
                            30TH ANNIVERSARY

  Mr. ALTMIRE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 290) honoring the contributions of the Rocky 
Mountain Senior Games on its 30th anniversary for significantly 
improving the health and well-being of older Americans.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 290

       Whereas in 1978 the Colorado Senior Sports Development 
     Council (CSSDC) began hosting athletic competitions for 
     individuals 50 years of age and older;
       Whereas the city of Greeley, Colorado, worked with CSSDC to 
     bring this popular athletic competition and social 
     opportunity to the Rocky Mountain region;
       Whereas the Rocky Mountain Senior Games originated as a 1-
     day event featuring swimming, basketball, and track and 
     field;
       Whereas the Rocky Mountain Senior Games now features a 
     variety of sports and recreational activities during the 
     week-long competition, including archery, badminton, 
     basketball, billiards, bowling, cycling, golf, horseshoes, 
     dancing, pickleball, race walking, racquetball, running, 
     shuffleboard, swimming, table tennis, tennis, track and 
     field, triathlon, trap and skeet shooting, and weight 
     lifting;
       Whereas the Rocky Mountain Senior Games encourages athletes 
     of all abilities to participate in the competition by 
     creating age categories with 5-year increments;
       Whereas the competition is also divided into male and 
     female divisions, as well as mixed divisions in several 
     doubles events;
       Whereas athletes who qualify at the State level are 
     eligible to compete at the biennial National Senior Games;
       Whereas Colorado is always well represented at the National 
     Senior Games by athletes who pay their own expenses to attend 
     and compete, such as the 640 Colorado athletes who have 
     already qualified for the 2007 National Senior Games in 
     Louisville, Kentucky;
       Whereas participants in the Rocky Mountain Senior Games 
     experience the friendly fellowship, comraderie, and 
     exhiliration of competition, as well as the enjoyment of 
     associatied social events;
       Whereas participants in the Rocky Mountain Senior Games 
     experience highly beneficial effects on both their physical 
     and mental health, leading to the ultimate goal of the Games 
     of promoting ``Fitness as a Lifestyle'';
       Whereas volunteers and event coordinators of all ages make 
     the week's events possible; and
       Whereas the 30th annual Rocky Mountain Senior Games will be 
     held from June 6-10, 2007: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved,  That the House of Representatives honors the 
     contributions of the Rocky Mountain Senior Games on its 30th 
     anniversary for significantly improving the health and well-
     being of older Americans.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Altmire) and the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. David 
Davis) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Pennsylvania.
  Mr. ALTMIRE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, for 30 years the Rocky Mountain Senior Games has offered 
athletic competition and social opportunities to men and women, age 50 
and older. Athletes of all abilities are encouraged to participate in 
over 30 athletic and social events. Competition is divided into male 
and female divisions, as well as mixed competition and by age groups. 
The purpose of the Rocky Mountain Senior Games is to motivate women and 
men over the age of 50 to pursue and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
  In 2006, the Rocky Mountain Senior Games hosted 1,035 participants 
from 17 States across the country. The Rocky Mountain Senior Games 
offers our Nation's seniors the opportunity to experience the thrill of 
competition and the joy of camaraderie, while improving their physical 
fitness.
  It is of vital importance that we encourage all adults to establish 
and maintain healthy lifestyles so that they can maintain a high 
quality of life as they grow older.

[[Page H4521]]

  For 30 years, the Rocky Mountain Senior Games have helped improve the 
health and well-being of older Americans in our Nation. Every year, 
more and more seniors travel to Greeley, Colorado, to participate.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring the Rocky 
Mountain Senior Games.

                              {time}  1730

  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. DAVID DAVIS of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as 
she may consume to the gentlewoman from Colorado (Mrs. Musgrave).
  Mrs. MUSGRAVE. Mr. Speaker, my resolution, H. Res. 290, recognizes 
the goals and the ideals of the 30th annual Rocky Mountain Senior 
Games, which will be held in the next few weeks in my district in 
Colorado.
  The Colorado Senior Development Council began hosting athletic 
competition for adults 50 and older in 1978; and today, the City of 
Greeley, and the Greeley Department of Recreation have partnered with 
the Colorado Senior Sports Development Council to host this popular 
event in the Rocky Mountain region.
  The games originated in Colorado as a 1-day competition featuring 
four athletic events, including swimming, track and field, and 
basketball. Today, the Rocky Mountain games are among the oldest of its 
kind in the Nation and are among the most popular.
  This year's games will be held from June 6-10, and there will be a 
wide range of events that include basketball, track and field, 
swimming, billiards, tennis, badminton, cycling, weight lifting, skeet 
and trap shooting, archery, a 5k and a 10k road race, a triathlon, and 
many others. The popularity of these events are made most evident by 
the high number of competitors.
  Last year, for instance, there were more than 1,400 individuals who 
competed in the games, many of whom succeeded in qualifying for the bi-
annual national games.
  In fact, Colorado will be well represented at this year's national 
games, which will be held later this summer in Louisville, Kentucky. 
There are 640 Colorado athletes who have already qualified.
  The individuals who participate experience friendly fellowship, 
camaraderie, and the exhilaration of competition. For a long time, 
fitness has been synonymous with Colorado. I think that's because of 
our wonderful sunny climate and our natural treasures that encourage 
people to get out and enjoy themselves. It's not surprising, then, that 
so many seniors continue exercising and seek out active competition, 
even as they begin to get older.
  My bill recognizes these competitors and the benefits they are making 
towards their long-term health. I am pleased my colleagues in Congress, 
especially those in Colorado, are joining me today to approve this 
bill.


                             General Leave

  Mr. ALTMIRE. Mr. Speaker, I ask that Members be given 5 legislative 
days to insert material relevant to H. Res. 325 and H. Res. 290 into 
the Record.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Pennsylvania?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. ALTMIRE. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. DAVID DAVIS of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time 
as I may consume.
  I rise today in support of House Resolution 290 honoring the 
contributions of the Rocky Mountain Senior Games on its 30th 
anniversary for significantly improving the health and well-being of 
older Americans.
  We should recognize the hardworking volunteers and the event 
coordinators that make this week's events possible. Without their 
efforts, these games would not be possible. I ask my colleagues to 
support this resolution.
  Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to rise in honoring the Michigan 
State University Men's Hockey team in winning the Frozen Four, becoming 
the Men's National Collegiate Hockey Champions.
  On Saturday, April 7, 2007, a record crowd of 19,432 witnessed 
Michigan State defeat Boston College, 3-1, in the championship game of 
the 2007 NCAA Men's Frozen Four in Scottrade Center in St. Louis.
  During the first period, neither team was able to push the puck past 
the opposing goalie. As the championship game progressed into the final 
period, most fans thought the game was headed to overtime. MSU then 
``exploded'' with three goals in the final 10 minutes of the game, 
icing the championship for MSU.
  This victory constituted MSU's third national championship, and the 
first since 1986. Each member of the MSU Hockey organization made 
essential contributions to the team's success.
  Justin Abdelkader, who was named the team's Most Outstanding Player, 
snapped a 1-1 tie with 18.9 seconds to go, seconds after ringing a shot 
off the goalie post.
  Jeff Lerg made 29 saves, and Chris Mueller added an empty-net goal 
with 1.2 seconds left to clinch it for the 3-1 Spartan win.
  MSU Spartans' Head Coach Rick Comley has become only the third coach 
in college hockey history to win national titles at two Division I 
Universities, and has earned over 700 career wins. Coach Comley last 
won the NCAA Championship with Northern Michigan University in 1991.
  The Spartan Hockey Team not only demonstrated untouchable strength 
and skill, but also perseverance and determination to make Michigan 
State University and all of the State of Michigan proud.
  The unyielding support from thousands of fans, family and friends, 
dressed in green, lined the streets of East Lansing where they turned 
out to welcome MSU's national championship hockey team back home.
  I am pleased to join with my colleague; Congressman Mike Rogers, who 
represents Michigan State University, and all the Michigan delegation 
in honoring MSU and its NCAA National Champion Men's hockey team.
  I am also very pleased that MSU selected my friend from Northern 
Michigan Hockey coach, Rick Comley, to lead MSU to its latest hockey 
title after its legendary hockey coach, Ron Mason, became MSU's 
athletic director.
  Again, I congratulate the MSU Spartan Hockey Team on winning the 2007 
NCAA Championship and recognize all the players, coaches, managers, 
staff, fans, and families who were instrumental in this great 
achievement.
  Mr. DAVID DAVIS of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance 
of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Altmire) that the House suspend the 
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 290.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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