[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 13]
[Senate]
[Page 17618]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                           2004 OLYMPIC GAMES

  Mr. FEINGOLD. Madam President, I am sure that my colleagues will join 
me in congratulating the American athletes who competed in the 2004 
Olympic Games in Athens, Greece.
  The Olympics have a rich history, with records dating the first 
Olympic Games to 776 B.C. in Olympia, Greece. The early athletic 
contests allowed youths to highlight their physical prowess, with 
victory reflecting well upon the competitor's home city. The modern 
Olympic Games have endured for over a century, through times of war and 
peace, and this year, the Olympics returned to its origins.
  The symbols of the Games--the motto, the flames, the rings--carry 
important meanings. The Olympic motto ``citius--altius--fortius'', 
which is Latin for ``faster--higher--stronger'' encourages all to 
strive to achieve their personal best. The Olympic flame, lit by the 
sun's rays in Olympia and passed around the world, burns bright while 
the competitions continue. The five Olympic rings represent the five 
continents, interwoven to demonstrate the universality of the Games.
  Being an Olympian is a tremendous honor, and I commend the many 
athletes who represented our Nation well. America's 2004 Olympians are 
some of the finest athletes in the world. Dedicated to their sport, 
these individuals often devote years of their lives to training for the 
ultimate experience of competing in the Olympics. All competed well, 
and their hard efforts were rewarded as a remarkable 103 medals were 
earned by Americans in Athens.
  I would like to particularly recognize the Olympians from my home 
State of Wisconsin. Fifteen athletes competing in the 2004 Olympic 
games have ties to Wisconsin, and I am proud of their efforts. These 15 
athletes traveled to Athens to compete in a variety of sporting events, 
events that ranged from rowing to gymnastics to the modern pentathlon. 
It is my honor to recognize these fine competitors from Wisconsin:
  Chris Ahrens. A graduate of Whitefish Bay High School and two-time 
Olympian, Chris earned a gold medal this year as a member of the men's 
eight rowing team.
  Deirdre Demet-Barry. A seven-time national cycling champion 
originally from Milwaukee, Deirdre competed in women's cycling while in 
Athens.
  Rebecca Giddens. A kayaker since age 10, this Green Bay native earned 
the bronze medal in the women's K1 flat kayak slalom.
  James Gruenwald. Originally hailing from Greendale, James competed in 
his second Olympics in the men's Greco-Roman wrestling competition.
  Dennis Hall. A proud cheesehead and Plover resident, Dennis competed 
in the men's Greco-Roman wrestling for his third Olympics.
  Paul Hamm. A native of Waukesha, Paul won gold and silver medals in 
men's gymnastics events in his second Olympic Games.
  Morgan Hamm. As a member of the U.S. men's gymnastics team, this 
Waukesha native helped lead the team to a silver medal.
  Ben Holbrook. Ben is originally from Hartland and competed in the 
Men's quadruple sculls rowing competition in Athens.
  Beau Hoopman. Raised in Plymouth, Beau rowed at the University of 
Wisconsin and won a gold medal in Athens with the men's eight rowing 
team..
  Mary Beth Larsen-Iagorashvili. A graduate of Mukwonago High School 
who attended Marquette University, Mary Beth competed in the women's 
modern pentathlon.
  Garrett Lowney. Athens was the second Olympic Games at which this 
Freedom resident competed in men's Greco-Roman wrestling.
  Erin Mirabella. Erin, a native of Racine and former student at UW-
Parkside, won the bronze medal for her performance in women's track 
cycling.
  Jeff Nygaard. Jeff showed his Wisconsin roots when he named Brett 
Favre as a favorite athlete. From Madison, Jeff competed in men's beach 
volleyball.
  Andrew Rock. A student at UW-La Crosse, Andrew won a gold medal as a 
member of the men's 1,600 meter relay in Athens.
  Matt Smith. A graduate of the University of Wisconsin, Matt currently 
serves our country as an infantry captain for the U.S. Army. He 
competed as a rower in the men's lightweight four.
  Neil Walker. A swimmer originally from Verona, Neil earned two 
Olympic medals--a bronze in the men's 4 x 100 freestyle relay and a 
gold medal in the men's 4 x 100 medley relay.
  Mike Wherley. A Sun Prairie High School graduate, Mike rowed in his 
first Olympics with the men's four in Athens.
  I offer my congratulations to these athletes. They demonstrated great 
passion and dedication to their sport and to the spirit of the 
Olympics. They made Wisconsin proud.

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