[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 23 (Thursday, February 6, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Page S817]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                             2014 OLYMPIANS

  Mr. SANDERS. Mr. President, I rise today to commend the Vermonters 
who will be representing the United States in the Olympic Winter Games 
in Sochi, Russia. Vermont has a long tradition of excellence in winter 
sports that we owe partly to our State's cold climate and mountainous 
terrain, but also to an outdoor spirit that dates back generations. I 
would like to acknowledge these athletes individually and wish them the 
best of luck in pursuing the gold.
  Sophie Caldwell, from Peru, VT, will be competing for the United 
States in cross-country skiing. Sophie was a five-time All-American at 
Dartmouth College, and received a degree in psychology and plans to go 
back to school to pursue a career in either psychology or education.
  Hannah Dreissigacker, from Morrisville, VT, is a member of the 
Craftsbury Green Racing Project, a group of elite athletes who are 
committed to pursuing an environmentally conscious lifestyle. Hannah 
will be competing in the biathlon in Sochi.
  Kelly Clark, from West Dover, VT, is one of the most successful 
snowboarders to ever compete. She won a gold medal in the halfpipe 
event at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, and a bronze medal 
at the 2010 games in Vancouver. In addition to her success on the 
slopes, Kelly has given back to her community by starting a foundation 
that provides scholarships to athletes from disadvantaged backgrounds.
  Susan Dunklee, from Craftsbury, VT, will be competing for the United 
States in the biathlon. Susan placed fifth in the World Championship's 
Individual race in Ruhpolding, Germany, and tied for the best score of 
those U.S. female biathletes competing. Susan, like Ms. Dreissigacker, 
is also a member of the Craftsbury Green Racing Project, which promotes 
sustainability and endurance sports.
  Lindsey Jacobellis, from Stratton, VT, started competing in snowboard 
cross competitions when she was 11 and has risen to become a dominant 
force in the sport. Lindsay won a silver medal at the 2006 Winter 
Olympics in Turin, and is an eight-time champion in snowboardcross at 
the Winter X Games.
  Hannah Kearney, from Norwich, VT, is one of the top freestyle mogul 
competitors in the world, having won a gold medal at the 2010 Winter 
Olympics in Vancouver. I wish her the best of luck in defending her 
Olympic title.
  Devin Logan, from West Dover, VT, is a freeskier who will be 
competing in the slopestyle and halfpipe events. During her rookie 
season, she finished second in the halfpipe event at the U.S. 
Championships and earned her first U.S. halfpipe skiing title at the 
age of 15.
  Andy Newell, from Shaftsbury, VT, is a cross-country skier who has 
been racing since the age of five. He placed 16th in freestyle sprint 
during the 2006 Winter Olympics and finished off the 2012-2013 season 
ranked as the fifth fastest sprinter in the world. Outside of training 
for this year's Winter Olympics, Andy works with kids at the New 
England Nordic Ski Association to introduce the sport to a new 
audience.
  Hannah Teter, from Belmont, VT, won a gold medal in the halfpipe 
event at the 2006 Winter Olympics and a silver medal in 2010 in 
Vancouver. In true Vermont fashion, Hannah is very active in her 
community and charitable causes, combining her prize money with 
proceeds from maple syrup sales to start a charity called ``Hannah's 
Gold'' which builds schools and fresh water infrastructure in a village 
in rural Kenya.
  Ida Sargent, from Barton, VT, is a cross-country skier who is also a 
member of the Craftsbury Green Racing Project. After finishing her 
cross-country skiing career, Ida hopes to become a physical therapist.
  Liz Stephen, from East Montpelier, VT, switched from alpine to cross-
country skiing midway through her tenure at Burke Mountain Academy. Liz 
took first place in two events at the 2008 U.S. National Championships. 
Since her last trip to the Winter Olympics in 2010, she finished atop 
the podium at the Swiss National Championship in 2012 and finished 
fifth in the 10k freestyle at the 2013 World Ski Championships. Liz 
enjoys mountain biking and takes classes at Westminster College.
  Mikaela Shiffrin, from East Burke, VT, will compete for the United 
States in alpine skiing. Mikaela is an eight-time World Cup slalom 
medalist. Mikaela is the first non-European to win four World Cup 
slalom races in one season. When she isn't competing, she also enjoys 
playing tennis and soccer.
  Ty Walker, from Stowe, VT, has made a significant impact on women's 
slopestyle snowboarding. Ty has won the Burton European Open Junior Jam 
three times in a row from 2009-2011. In 2013, when she was just 16, she 
finished fifth at the FIS World Snowboarding Championship. Off the 
snow, Ty is a straight-A student and loves to jump on trampolines.
  Alex Deibold, from Manchester, VT, will compete in his first Olympics 
as a snowboardcross competitor. Alex finished second in the 2013 World 
Cup championship in Sochi, Russia. Alex also made finals at four out of 
five World Cup starts in 2013. When he is off the slopes, Alex enjoys 
rock climbing, surfing, and mountain biking.
  Jacqueline Hernandez, from Londonderry, VT will compete for the 
United States in snowboardcross. Jacqueline is a seven-time World Cup 
top-10 finisher. In her spare time, she enjoys riding motorcycles, 
swimming, and boating.
  Nolan Kasper, from Warren, VT, will compete for the United States in 
alpine skiing. Nolan competed in the 2010 Winter Olympic Games and 
placed 24th in men's slalom. In addition, Nolan enjoys ice skating and 
playing soccer.
  Mr. President, Vermont is very proud of the athletes who will be 
competing in Sochi, and I would like to join the citizens of my state 
to wish them the best of luck at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games. Bring 
home the gold!

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