[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 79 (Tuesday, May 15, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E648]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST JESSIE DIGGINS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 15, 2018

  Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor a hometown Olympic hero 
from Afton, Minnesota, Gold Medal winner Jessie Diggins. May 12, 2018 
will forever be known as Jessie Diggins Day in Afton. In a ``Bringing 
Home the Gold'' celebration for Jessie's homecoming, family, friends 
and fans from far and wide got a chance to meet and cheer their 
hometown champion in person.
  History was made at the Pyeongchang Olympic Games on February 21, 
2018. With the eyes of the world upon her in the final 100-meter 
stretch of the team sprint freestyle cross-country ski race, Jessie 
Diggins dug deep, somehow finding a burst of energy to surge past her 
competitors and clinch a thrilling first-place finish. Jessie and her 
racing partner, Kikkan Randall, didn't just win the race, they won the 
first-ever Olympic gold medal in cross-country skiing for the United 
States. Here at home, friends and neighbors throughout the St. Croix 
Valley cheered on every stride. The entire state of Minnesota shares 
immense pride in their thrilling victory.
  The triumph by Jessie Diggins and Kikkan Randall shows what is 
possible through vision, determination--and a tremendous amount of hard 
work. Their victory inspires future generations of young people, 
especially girls, to dedicate themselves and pursue their dreams.
  Jessie continues to inspire us--to act. As a premiere athlete in a 
sport that depends on the presence of snow, it is not surprising that 
she is witnessing firsthand the rapid impact our changing climate is 
having on winter sports. Shortly after the Olympic Games, she shared 
her experience and her voice on Capitol Hill, speaking truth to power 
urging my colleagues and me to act now to address our changing climate. 
Her courage and passion to make a difference for future generations is 
co1nmendable.
  Jessie is a history-maker and a leader. I cannot think of a more 
fitting tribute to her historic Olympic accomplishment than to be 
chosen by her fellow Team USA athletes to be the standard-bearer for 
the closing ceremony of the 2018 Olympic Games. All Americans, but 
especially all Minnesotans were filled with joy to see Jessie lead her 
teammates under the United States flag. As the Representative of 
Minnesota's Fourth Congressional district, it is a privilege to be able 
to fly a flag in honor of Jessie and her incredible victory.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in rising to pay tribute to an 
exceptional athlete and role model, U.S. Olympic Gold Medal winner, 
Jessie Diggins.

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