[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 194 (Wednesday, December 14, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1295]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         HONORING THE EXTRAORDINARY CAREER OF COACH ART VENEGAS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. J. LUIS CORREA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 14, 2022

  Mr. CORREA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary 
career of Coach Art Venegas.
  Coach Venegas is regarded as the premier collegiate women and men's 
throwing coach in the Nation and is world-renowned for his coaching 
expertise with elite world champion athletes.
  Born in Tepic, Mexico, Venegas moved to California when he was age 
11. He entered the world of track and field while attending St. 
Genevieve High School in Panorama City, where he was a shot put and 
discus performer.
  Following his 1970 high school graduation, Venegas became a standout 
at Cal State Northridge, where he was a four-year letterman in the 
hammer throw and earned Division II All-America honors in 1974.
  Prior to his legendary career at UCLA, Venegas coached at Long Beach 
State (1980 to 81) and at his alma mater, Cal State Northridge (1976 to 
79). At Long Beach State, Venegas coached Bill Green, hammer thrower 
and former U.S. record-holder (255-0 ), who placed fifth at the 1984 
Olympics. He also coached 1984 Olympic Trials shot put finalist Mike 
Smith (64-10).
  As an assistant, and later, as head coach at UCLA, his efforts 
contributed to 21 consecutive wins against the University of Southern 
California. He also led the UCLA Women's Indoor Track and Field team to 
its first National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) title in 
2000, and to a consecutive NCAA title in 2001.
  After 31 years of coaching at UCLA, Venegas contributed his time and 
talents to training the nation's top throwers at the Olympic Training 
Center in Chula Vista, California.
  Additionally, because of his expertise on throwing, he is a sought-
after speaker and has delivered remarks to the 11th World Congress of 
the International Track and Field Coaches Association in Barcelona, 
Spain. In 1987, he was the featured speaker at the International 
Amateur Athletic Federation European Coaching Congress. He has also 
worked with the British and Spanish national teams.
  In recognition of his extraordinary career, Coach Venegas was 
inducted into the United States Track and Field Cross Country Coaches 
Association Hall of Fame in 2022.
  Outside of work, Art Venegas is an honorable man who takes great 
pride in Hispanic Heritage. He is always willing to help younger 
coaches new to the game and especially see other minorities through the 
coaching ranks.
  He is devoted to his wife, the former Marlene Estrada, and their two 
children, Jessica and Yvette.
  Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in acknowledging the 
long career and accomplishments of Hall of Fame Coach Art Venegas.

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