[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 2]
[Senate]
[Page 2321]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                            KIMMIE MEISSNER

 Ms. MIKULSKI. Mr. President, I rise today to honor Kimmie 
Meissner, a great Olympian and the pride of Bel Air, MD. We in Maryland 
are so proud of Kimmie. Sixth at the Olympics at the age of 16 is a 
monumental achievement.
  Like many of my colleagues, I was glued to the television set to 
watch our U.S. athletes in Torino. I was so impressed with Kimmie's 
performance, I only wish I could have been there to lead the applause 
for our hometown girl. She may have come in sixth in Torino, but she 
came in first in the hearts of the people of my great State.
  But Kimmie's accomplishments didn't begin in Torino. She began her 
figure skating career 10 years ago at the age of 6. At the age of 6. 
She has been a true student athlete for almost her entire life, 
balancing her school work with her training. Kimmie goes to Fallston 
High School in Harford County every day, and when school is over she 
drives to Delaware to train for her second shift as a competitive 
figure skater.
  Kimmie shows maturity far beyond her years, both on and off the ice. 
She supports the Leukemia Society and the Johns Hopkins Hospital 
Children's Center, taking time out of her life to visit with sick young 
people.
  On the ice, Kimmie couldn't have a better attitude. She says her 
motto is, ``enjoy what you do; do what you enjoy.'' I can think of few 
young people who have such a thoughtful approach to life. At 16 years 
old, she has the brightest future of anyone of our Olympic skaters, and 
I can't wait for the Vancouver Olympics in 2010.
  March is Women's History Month and the time when we celebrate the 
achievements and struggles of women in America. Frequently, we point to 
those who have come before us and who have paved the way for current 
advances. But it is only right and proper that in this 2006 Women's 
History Month, we salute young women like Kimmie and the honor she 
brought the United States with her talent, skill, and sportsmanship.
  Thank you, Kimmie, for making us so proud. Thank you for representing 
all that is good and true about America's young people. And though I 
cannot tell a salchow from an axel, let alone a loop from a lutz, even 
I could recognize your grit, grace, and promise of an even more 
glittering future.

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