[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 1]
[Senate]
[Page 1227]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO ROSS POWERS

  Mr. JEFFORDS. Mr. President, it came to me as no surprise that again 
today I have the pleasure to rise and recognize the gold medal effort 
of a Vermonter on the halfpipe yesterday in Park City, UT at the 2002 
Winter Olympics. Ross Powers, who hails from South Londonderry, VT, won 
the men's snowboarding halfpipe event, a sport that traces its roots 
back to Vermont, riding a Burton snowboard, which was built in Vermont.
  Ross, who led the American sweep of a Winter Olympic event in 46 
years, turned 23 on Sunday but is no novice at high competition. In 
Nagano, Japan 4 years ago, Ross brought home a bronze medal for his 
country. But his performance yesterday was truly special: it earned him 
a first-place finish and led the way for Danny Kass and J.J. Thomas to 
win the sliver and bronze medals, respectively. Three Americans stood 
atop the podium, and Americans watching everywhere cheered them on.
  On behalf of all Vermonters, and all Americans, Ross, 
congratulations, good luck, and thank you for giving your best 
yesterday in Utah.

                          ____________________