[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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