[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 105 (Tuesday, July 14, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1751]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    A TRIBUTE TO PETER V. UEBERROTH

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                         HON. HOWARD L. BERMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 14, 2009

  Mr. BERMAN. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in 
honoring the lifetime achievements of Peter V. Ueberroth and his 
contributions to the Olympic movement and sports in the United States.
  Peter is due special commendation for his timely and effective 
response to the situation sparked by the American-led boycott of the 
1980 Olympic Games in Moscow. That boycott led to 14 Communist 
countries announcing their intention to boycott the 1984 Olympic Games 
in Los Angeles, California, and organize a rival event called the 
Friendship Games.
  When the Soviet Union announced its boycott of the 1984 Olympic Games 
just two months before the Games, it threatened to undermine the 
participation of other countries and create a financial disaster for 
the Olympic movement. In order to save the Games, Peter Ueberroth 
personally visited several countries to ensure their participation, 
including Romania, which became the only Communist country that refused 
to participate in the Soviet-led boycott.
  Despite the Soviet-led boycott, through the efforts to build 
international good will led by Peter Ueberroth and the Los Angeles 
Olympic Organizing Committee, over 140 nations still participated in 
the 1984 Olympic Games.
  Peter continued to promote the 1984 Olympic Games by initiating the 
Olympic Torch Relay that began in New York City, crossed 33 states and 
the District of Columbia and ended in Los Angeles, covering more than 
9,000 miles and involving over 3,600 runners that focused the attention 
of the country and the world on the Games.
  The 1984 Olympic Games were a stunning success, featuring athletes 
such as Carl Lewis, Mary Lou Retton and Michael Jordan, who led the 
United States team to a record-setting total of 174 medals, including 
83 gold medals.
  Peter personally secured the revenue to finance the 1984 Olympic 
Games, raising an unprecedented amount of funds from private sources so 
that not one cent of municipal funds would be required of the taxpayers 
of Los Angeles. The 1984 Olympic Games actually concluded with an 
unprecedented $215 million surplus.
  As a result of his efforts in saving the 1984 Olympic Games and 
restoring the United States as the leader in international sports, Time 
Magazine named Peter Ueberroth as the 1984 ``Man of the Year,'' noting 
that he was the ``hero of the Olympics'' and the ``man who brought 
honor to America.''
  Since leading the 1984 Olympic Games, Peter Ueberroth has continued 
to make contributions to the United States and the world of sports, 
serving as Commissioner of Major League Baseball, where he led efforts 
to institute an effective anti-drug campaign.
  Following the 2004 reorganization of the United States Olympic 
Committee, Peter Ueberroth was selected to serve as Chairman of the 
United States Olympic Committee, revitalizing the United States Olympic 
Committee and leading the United States to a first-place finish in the 
2008 Beijing Olympics.
  2009 marks the 25th anniversary of the Los Angeles Olympic Games held 
under Peter Ueberroth's leadership and in that spirit, I ask now that 
my colleagues join me in recognizing, honoring and celebrating the 
achievements, service and contributions of Peter Ueberroth to the 
Olympic movement, sports, and the United States of America

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