[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 184 (Tuesday, December 4, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2478-E2479]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               TRIBUTE TO THE SNOWBOARD OUTREACH SOCIETY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MARK UDALL

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 4, 2007

  Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Madam Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the 
great work of the Snowsports Outreach Society (SOS Outreach), based in 
Vail, Colorado, which is dedicated to providing outdoor recreation and 
confidence-building opportunities to underprivileged youth.
  The snow sports industry is an essential part of Colorado's 
lifestyle, economy and image. Colorado's mountainous terrain and world 
class resorts have set the standard for the ultimate experience in 
sliding on snow. As co-chair of the Congressional Ski and Snowboard 
Caucus and an avid skier myself, I understand the importance of this 
outdoor activity--in all its forms--for its physical health benefits 
and the recreation economy of Colorado and the country's ski resorts.
  SOS Outreach complements the benefits of snow sports by providing 
dynamic programs to 2,500 youths in need nationwide. During the current 
season, 2,000 Colorado participants will be enrolled in a 7-year 
curriculum. I am proud to support the work that they do to grow the 
sport and promote positive self-esteem in their participants.
  Now celebrating its 14th anniversary, SOS Outreach was founded in 
Vail, Colorado in 1993. SOS Outreach is a grassroots, 501(c)(3) 
organization. Through the work of its founder and executive director, 
Arn Menconi and former director of snowboarding for Vail Resorts, Ray 
Sforzo, a charity was developed that appealed to the mountain resort's 
desire to build the community by serving underprivileged youth.
  SOS Outreach first introduced youth to the benefits of outdoor 
recreation during the 1995-1996 season when they taught 40 youths 
snowboarding. They were provided with one day of free lessons, 
equipment and lift tickets. Since their first season, SOS Outreach has 
partnered with mountain resorts, youth agencies, foundations, 
corporations and individual donors to expand their curriculum and serve 
over 7,500 youths. SOS Outreach is further leveraging their 
partnerships to expand their programs and include skiing. Over 7,000 
program days will be provided at 29 resorts across the country, 13 in 
the State of Colorado.
  SOS Outreach reaches out to its participants by providing a high 
quality, resilience-based program that positively impacts self-esteem 
and ability to participate positively within their communities; 
supports underserved youth through adult mentorship; and encourages 
personal character education through SOS Outeach's five core values of 
courage, discipline, integrity, wisdom and compassion. In using 
snowboarding and skiing as the carrot, SOS Outreach also sets personal, 
academic and athletic goals with kids and provides vocational skills 
training. Their curriculum is recognized nationally for its impact.
  The dynamic programming they provide would not be successful without 
the substantial support of the following individuals and organizations. 
I would like to recognize and thank each of them for sustaining such a 
program in Colorado:

[[Page E2479]]

  Bill Jensen and Kara Heide of Vail Resorts; Ken Gart and everyone at 
Specialty Sports Venture; Chris Ryman of Booth Creek Ski Holdings; 
Colorado Mountain Resorts for their donation of lift tickets, lessons 
and rental equipment; Harry Frampton and Ceil Folz of the Vail Valley 
Foundation; Robert Veitch of the Harold W. Shaw and Mary Louise Shaw 
Foundation; Linda Childers of the Daniels Fund; William Hybl of the El 
Pomar Foundation; Bill Cotton of Optic Nerve Sunglasses; Robert 
Marcovitch of K2 Inc.; Mike West of 686; Wendy and Mike Carey of 
Seirus; Chaos Hats; Ride Snowboards; Salomon Sports; Sutherland 
Foundation; Bob Hernreich; Kay and Craig Tuber; to the staff of SOS 
Outreach: Am & Anne Menconi, Michelle Hartel, Jon Garrou, Seth Ehrlich, 
Jody Link, Thersa Bisio; and, the hundreds of adults that give of 
themselves to be positive mentors to these young people.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking SOS 
Outreach for its great work and extending our wishes for continued 
success and instilling a love for the outdoors and snow sports--and 
personal achievement and self confidence--for many young people.

                          ____________________