[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 13]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 18015]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




IN HONOR AND RECOGNITION OF THE 2004 INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN'S GAMES IN 
                            CLEVELAND, OHIO

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 9, 2004

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor and recognition of the 
2004 International Children's Games, being held for the first time in 
the United States, in Cleveland, Ohio. I also honor and recognize the 
Games' founder, Professor Metod Klemenc of Celje Slovenia, who 
organized the first Children's Games on June 5, 1968.
  Professor Klemenc, a peacemaker and visionary, has created a haven of 
international exchange for the children of the world--a bridge of 
unity, spanning oceans and mountains, that offers safe passage to 
children of distant places and distant cultures. His dream springs into 
motion every year, inspired by competition, sport and games. The 
International Children's Games gives these child athletes a deeper 
understanding of children and cultures from faraway lands, and 
illuminates a simple truth: that our singular hope, humanity, and 
dreams as children, and as nations, live within all of us.
  The International Children's Games, endorsed by the International 
Olympic Committee, is the only worldwide, athletic event for youth that 
connects sports with cultural exchanges, educational programs and 
economic development. Three thousand young athletes will unite with 
teammates and coaches from across the globe, representing their cities 
as ambassadors of cultural exchange and good will. I am honored to 
welcome all the participants, volunteers and organizers of the 
International Children's Games to Cleveland, Ohio. The blend of 
cultures that has enriched the City of Cleveland mirrors the diversity 
of the athletes that have journeyed here to learn, play, and carry 
these wonderful memories back to their communities across the seas.
  Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me to honor, acknowledge and 
welcome everyone associated with the International Children's Games, 
especially the young athletes. Embracing the hope and vision of the 
Games' founder, Professor Metod Klemenc, these Games exist to promote 
the spirit of friendly competition, teamwork, dialogue and interaction 
between children all over the world. Let the day begin--let the games 
start.

                          ____________________