[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 15]
[Senate]
[Page 21266]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                     OLYMPIC SWIMMER JENNY THOMPSON

 Mr. GREGG. Mr. President, I would like to take this 
opportunity to congratulate one of our nation's finest Olympians, Jenny 
Thompson. This week, Jenny set herself apart from the rest of the 
world. With 10 Olympic medals, 8 of which are gold, Jenny has become 
the most decorated Olympic female swimmer of all time. As an American, 
I am very proud of our U.S. Olympic athletes, but I am especially proud 
of Jenny Thompson, from my home state of New Hampshire.
  Jenny first appeared on swimming's national stage in the mid-1980's 
when she began swimming for the Seacoast Swimming Association in Dover, 
New Hampshire for coach Mike Parratto. At the age of 15, Jenny just 
missed making the 1988 U.S. Olympic Swim Team, but her success as a 
young athlete drew the attention of college swimming programs from 
around the country. Jenny began attending Stanford University in 1991, 
and in 1992, she became the first woman in 61 years to set a world 
record in the 100 meter freestyle event. She followed up on her new 
world record by leading Stanford to a 27-0 dual-meet record, four PAC-
10 titles and four consecutive NCAA Championships. Through her 
leadership and her firm sense of teamwork, Jenny Thompson was elevated 
to team captain and served as a mentor for Stanford's more recent 
arrivals to the natatorium.
  In addition to Jenny's team accomplishments, she managed to swim her 
way to 19 NCAA titles, the most in women's collegiate swimming history. 
Having also captured 23 U.S. national titles, Jenny is the most 
successful active swimmer in the United States.
  When Jenny arrived in Sydney, Australia, she did so with five gold 
medals and one silver medal. She has now added to her Olympic success 
by again leading the U.S. women's relay team to gold in the 4 x 100 
meter freestyle relay, setting another new world record, and the 4 x 
100 meter medley relay. Additionally, Jenny continued to show her 
competitive edge as an individual by medaling in the 100 meter 
freestyle, winning the bronze.
  Jenny Thompson's performance at the 2000 Sydney Olympics has made her 
the most decorated female Olympian in the United States and the most 
successful female Olympic swimmer in history. Aside from her 
achievements at the Olympics and Stanford University, Jenny has won 
numerous World Championships and accumulated countless awards and 
honors as an athlete. She has always displayed team spirit and 
professionalism in and around the pool, showing that character is one 
of her finest assets. Her contribution to the sport of swimming is 
unmatched and has left a lasting impression in the minds and hearts of 
all who have watched her represent the United States throughout the 
years. Jenny Thompson has inspired a generation of young swimmers to 
dream and achieve their goals, to think positively and to work hard.
  Jenny Thompson will enter Columbia University Medical School next 
fall, where I know she will be successful. Her drive and desire will 
surely allow her to achieve her goals as she makes her way into a 
different stage of her life. I am confident that Jenny will continue to 
be a role model for all, and I hope that she knows we are proud of her. 
New Hampshire is proud of her, our nation is proud of her, and we wish 
her nothing but the best in her future endeavors.

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