[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 180 (Wednesday, December 18, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Pages S8968-S8969]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 U.S. DELEGATION TO THE SOCHI OLYMPICS

  Mr. WICKER. Mr. President, I rise this evening to speak briefly about 
the delegation chosen by President Obama to represent the United States 
at the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2014 Olympic Winter Games 
in Sochi, Russia. I would also like to offer a few suggested additions 
to the delegation.
  As Members know, Janet Napolitano, former Secretary of Homeland 
Security, will lead the U.S. delegation to the opening ceremonies on 
February 7. Our Deputy Secretary of State, William Burns, will lead our 
delegation to the closing ceremonies on February 23. Our two 
delegations will include tennis legend Billy Jean King, gold medalist 
figure skater Brian Boitano, gold medalist figure skater Bonnie Blair, 
silver medalist hockey player Caitlin Cahow, and Olympic gold medalist 
speed skater Eric Heiden. These individuals are American sports figures 
who should be lauded for their contributions. I am confident they will 
represent us well.
  May I suggest with all seriousness that this delegation could well be 
expanded. Some have asked what message the President might be trying to 
send to Russia in choosing this delegation. White House Press Secretary 
Jay Carney asserted this morning that ``in the selection of the 
delegation, we are

[[Page S8969]]

sending the message that the United States is a diverse 
place.'' Whether we are sending a message or simply pointing to our 
diversity, I submit our official delegation would be enhanced by adding 
the following: an American citizen of Russian parentage, perhaps a 
Russian orphan adopted and raised to adulthood by loving parents in the 
United States would be a good addition to this delegation or a Syrian 
American who has fled the barbaric and treacherous rule of Bashar al-
Assad in Syria. In addition, an Iranian-American exile from the 
oppressive and murderous regime in Iran might make an outstanding 
addition to this delegation. I would also suggest that LTG Keith 
Alexander, the Director of the National Security Agency in this 
administration, would be an appropriate representative also of the 
United States of America.

  So whether it is messaging that is taking place or simply diversity, 
I strongly suggest this outstanding delegation could be improved by 
these individuals and perhaps others.
  I thank the Chair and I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Delaware.

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