[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 109 (Thursday, July 22, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1414-E1415]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING THE 50TH ANIVERSARY OF THE 1960 OLYMPIC TEAM IN NASHVILLE, 
                       TENNESSEE AUGUST 27, 2010

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. CAROLYN C. KILPATRICK

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 22, 2010

  Ms. KILPATRICK of Michigan. Madam Speaker, fifty years ago, arguably 
the greatest Olympic team in history--the United States Summer Olympic 
Team--traveled to Rome, Italy and proceeded to take over the athletic 
world. This Olympics, and this Olympic team, not only surpassed 
athletic marvels, but also broke racial, gender and ethnic barriers in 
doing so. On August 27, 2010, Nashville, Tennessee will be the home of 
the gathering of these champions, whose exploits are chronicled in 
David Maraniss' fantastic book, ``Rome 1960: The Olympics That Changed 
the World.'' This event is more than a gathering of greats. It is also 
a fundraiser for the Ed Temple Foundation, and proceeds from this event 
will help low income families in Franklin, Tennessee and surrounding 
communities. I am proud to rise in support of this most worthwhile 
endeavor.
  The names from these Olympics are part of athletic history and lore. 
During the 1960 Olympics, women's track and field, heretofore an 
afterthought, was catapulted to the world's stage through the 
incredible achievements of the Tigerbelles of Tennessee State 
University. Led by legendary humanitarian, educator 
and coach Ed Temple of Tennessee State University, Mae Faggs, Wilma 
Rudolph, Wyomia Tyus, Edith McGuire, Chandra Cheeseborough and others 
illustrated that women could perform with grace, class and honor. I was 
blessed and remain blessed to have had the personal friendship of Wilma 
Rudolph for more than two decades. Her spirit, strength and service are 
an example to all Americans, especially during these racially trying 
times. These women--young, strong, proud African American women--
shattered traditional and outdated stereotypes, furthering the cause of 
equality and justice for all Americans. Coach Temple would end his 
career as the greatest track and field coach in Olympic history, as the 
women on his team won more than 23 Olympic medals, set dozens of 
Olympic world records, and more incredibly, more than 80 percent of the 
women coached under his program graduated from college.
  Rafer Johnson, an African American, carried our Nation's flag, also 
was the first African American to win the grueling decathlon. Ralph 
Boston, another graduate of Tennessee State University, won the Olympic 
gold in the long jump. The 1960 Olympic basketball team, led by Oscar 
Robertson, Jerry Lucas and Jerry

[[Page E1415]]

West, never had a game that was close. This team was so talented, so 
smart and so skilled, ten out of its 12 members played in the National 
Basketball Association, and the entire team was named to the Basketball 
Hall of Fame.
  While many of us know of his career as a humanitarian, a man of peace 
and .justice, and perhaps the greatest boxer of all time, the 1960 
Olympics in Rome also saw the beginning of the career of a young 
Cassius Clay. Of course, the world would later know and revere him as 
Muhammad Ali. In 1960, Muhammad Ali won a light heavyweight gold medal 
in boxing, setting the stage for an athlete like never before.
  On behalf of my colleagues in Congress, I salute all of the athletes 
of this significant and ceiling-breaking Olympic team, and have the 
highest of hopes and wishes for the continued health and good fortune 
of these individuals and the Ed Temple Foundation. God bless.

                          ____________________