[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 118 (Friday, July 31, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2111]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    HONORING AND RECOGNIZING THE PASSING OF MR. YOSEMITE, NIC FIORE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 30, 2009

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay honor and respect 
to one of my friends and heroes, Mr. Nic Fiore, who lived a full 88 
years of life, and passed away on June 16, 2009 from pneumonia.
  Nic was a legendary ski instructor and community leader who taught 
nearly 140,000 people to ski at Yosemite's Badger Pass Ski Area. Nic 
served in several different capacities in Yosemite for 57 years after 
first coming to Yosemite in 1947 from his hometown in Montreal, Canada. 
Nic originally came to Yosemite for one season but fell in love with 
the crowned jewel of America's national parks and stayed for the rest 
of his life, building community, friendship, and family in the area. He 
is survived by his daughters, Cindy and Nicole, and eight 
grandchildren.
  In describing his experience moving to Yosemite from Canada in 1947, 
Nic said, ``I had never been in love, but the feeling hit me like a ton 
of bricks. Like a bolt of lightning. Right then and there, down deep, 
in the corner of my heart, I said to myself, `I doubt you'll ever leave 
this place.' And I never have.''
  In 1956, Nic was named director of the Yosemite Ski School, and in 
1963 he was appointed director of the Yosemite High Sierra Camps. 
During this time, Nic also managed the Wawona and Glacier Point hotels 
among other concession facilities.
  Many of the aspects of Yosemite and Badger Pass Ski Area that are 
most beloved by myself and families everywhere who have the privilege 
to visit and enjoy Yosemite National Park can be attributed to Nic's 
legacy. Nic was a visionary in making the Badger Pass Ski Area the 
family-oriented teaching ski facility that it is today by preserving 
old skiing tradition.
  I can attest to what Nic's Yosemite colleagues have said about Nic's 
generosity of heart, his ability to make everyone who met him feel as 
though they were his best friend, and his mastery of Yosemite. Nic had 
a special ability to share his passion and enthusiasm for skiing, and 
recreation with generations of visitors to Yosemite as well as the 
permanent Yosemite community.
  The list of Nic's accomplishments is long. In 2006, Nic was chosen by 
the Yosemite Fund as their person of the year, and was designated as 
``Yosemite's Ambassador-at-Large.'' In January 2009, Nic was inducted 
into the California Outdoors Hall of Fame, an enshrinement award 
presented by the Sportsmen's Exposition. To be considered for this 
considerable award, nominees must have inspired thousands of 
Californians to take part in the great outdoors and must have taken 
part in an overriding range of adventures. I personally cannot think of 
a more qualified individual to fit that description than Nic.
  Nic held the position of executive director of the Professional Ski 
Instructors of America (PSIA) Western Divison. He was recognized as the 
``Most Valuable Ski Instructor'' of PSIA in 1971. Nic also received the 
``Charlie Proctor Award'' in 1986, which honors individuals who have 
made outstanding contributions to the sport of skiing in Northern 
California and Nevada. It is the highest award given by the Sierra 
Chapter of the North American Ski Journalists Association. 
Additionally, in 1987, Fiore was nominated for the U.S. Ski Hall of 
Fame, as well as received the ``Outstanding Contributions to the Sport 
of Skiing'' award.
  In addition to all of these accomplishments, Nic was also an author, 
writing a best selling book, ``So You Want to Ski'' along with a 
newspaper column titled ``Ski Tips by Nic Fiore.''
  Again, Madam Speaker, I rise in recognition of my friend and Yosemite 
community builder Mr. Yosemite, Mr. Nic Fiore. Nic will be missed by 
many. His legacy in the Yosemite community will live on, as will his 
passion and enthusiasm for the sport of skiing.

                          ____________________