[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 2]
[Senate]
[Pages 2696-2697]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 CONGRATULATIONS TO MICHIGAN OLYMPIANS

 Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, I take this opportunity to 
congratulate all of the athletes who competed in the 2006 Winter 
Olympic games in Torino, Italy. The Olympics provides an opportunity 
for athletes from many different disciplines and from around the world 
to display their skill and determination on a world stage. It was truly 
gratifying to see so many athletes from across the globe come together 
in peaceful competition.
  Throughout the Olympics and in the many years leading up to the 
games, athletes must make many personal sacrifices and embody the 
attributes of perseverance, hard work, and determination in pursuit of 
personal goals and Olympic medals. Michigan was represented by a strong 
group of athletes competing in seven different sports, winning five 
medals for the United States, including one Gold, two Silvers and two 
Bronze Medals. The accomplishments of these men and women are 
impressive and an inspiration for all of us. I am extremely proud of 
the men and women with ties to Michigan who competed in the 2006 Winter 
Olympics in Torino.
  Michigan continued its long tradition of sending world-class athletes 
to the Winter Olympic games by sending more than three dozen athletes 
with ties to Michigan, many of whom benefited from spending time at the 
Olympic Education Center, OEC, at Northern Michigan University, NMU, in 
Marquette. The OEC, which currently trains athletes in boxing, short 
track speed skating, greco-roman wrestling, and weightlifting, has been 
an integral part of the success of many athletes since its inception in 
1985. This year, 28 athletes who utilized these facilities represented 
the United States in these games.
  One of the games' most memorable and historic moments was provided by 
Northern Michigan University speed skater Shani Davis, who earned the 
distinction of being the first African American to medal in an 
individual Winter Olympic event when he secured Gold in the 1,000 meter 
and Silver in the 1,500 meter. Continuing our strong speed-skating 
tradition, Alex Izykowski and fellow USOEC athletes J.P. Kepka, Apolo 
Anton Ohno, and Rusty Smith won the Bronze Medal in the 5,000 meter 
relay. Also representing the United States on the speed-skating track 
were Kip Carpenter and Anthony Lobello in the 500 meters and Kimberly 
Derrick in the 3,000 meter relay and the 1,000 meter. Derrick competed 
courageously in the 1000 meter after losing her grandfather the day 
before that event.
  Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto provided an especially gratifying moment 
in securing the first medal in ice dancing for the United States since 
1976. Belbin and Agosto, skating in their first Olympics, won the 
highest medal the United States has ever received in ice dancing. Jamie 
Silverstein and Ryan O'Meara also represented the United States with 
grace and an abundance of pride. Training in Michigan at the same rink 
as Belbin, Agosto, Silverstein, and O'Meara were Canadian ice dance 
pair Megan Wing and Aaron Lowe. The U.S. pairs skating team of Marcy 
Hinzmann and Aaron Parchem

[[Page 2697]]

from Bloomfield Hills demonstrated the skill and talent necessary to 
compete in this challenging sport.
  The U.S. cross-country ski team included four Northern Michigan 
University alumni. First-time Olympians Chris Cook, Abby Larson, 
Lindsey Weier, and Lindsay Williams each took on the challenge of 
multiple events in one of the most grueling disciplines in the Winter 
Olympics. The Luge and Bobsled teams were led by Olympic veterans from 
Michigan. Waterford native Jean Prahm competed as the driver for the 
bobsled with partner Vonetta Flowers. Four-time Olympian and two-time 
medalist Mark Grimmette competed in the doubles luge.
  The U.S. women's hockey team won the Bronze Medal by defeating 
Finland by a score of 4 to 0. Angela Ruggiero, a three time Olympian 
from Harper Woods, played in all five games as a defensemen, scoring 
two goals and tallying four assists to help the U.S. win the Bronze.
  In men's hockey, Team U.S.A. was represented by Chris Chelios and 
Mathieu Schneider of the Detroit Redwings and by several other U.S. 
players with ties to Michigan, including John-Michael Liles, Derian 
Hatcher, Mike Knuble, Mike Modano, Brian Rafalski, Doug Weight, and 
Brian Rolston. Nine other Detroit Redwings participated in the Olympic 
games representing their home countries. Thomas Holmstom, Niklas 
Kronwall, Nicklas Lidstrom, Stefan Liv, Mikael Samuelsson, and Henrik 
Zetterberg provided the nucleus of the Sweden team that won the Gold. 
Robert Lang assisted the Czech Republic team to a Bronze Medal finish. 
In addition, Pavel Datsyuk represented Russia, and Kris Draper 
represented Canada.
  I know I speak for all Michiganians in expressing appreciation and 
congratulations to all of the Michigan athletes, coaches, and 
administrators who took part in the 2006 Winter Olympic games. The 
games last a few short weeks, but the memories will be ingrained in the 
minds of all who saw them and shared vicariously in the efforts of 
these great athletes. For their commitment, drive, and competitive 
spirit, I congratulate all the athletes of the 2006 Olympic games, but 
it is with particular pride that I salute the athletes from 
Michigan.

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