[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 3]
[Senate]
[Page 3229]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     2006 U.S. WINTER OLYMPICS TEAM

 Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I rise today to commend the 
accomplishments of the incredibly hard-working and dedicated members of 
the 2006 U.S. Winter Olympics team. This year, our team won 25 
individual and team medals, including 9 gold medals.
  Olympic athletes commit years of time and effort to earning the honor 
of representing the United States at the Olympic Games. Upon reaching 
the games, their determination stayed constant, even when faced with 
injury and adversity. Their spirit and willingness to strive for 
excellence no matter what the situation serves as an example for all 
Americans.
  I would especially like to recognize the 27 Californians who competed 
in Turin. While California is widely known for our wonderful weather 
and beautiful beaches, we also boast some of our Nation's finest winter 
athletes. The following seven California athletes won medals as well:

       Chanda Gunn of Huntington Beach won bronze as a member of 
     the U.S. Women's Hockey team.
       Rusty Smith from Long Beach won a bronze medal as a member 
     of the Short Track Speedskating 5,000-meter relay team.
       Sasha Cohen of Corona del Mar won the silver medal in 
     Figure Skating.
       Valerie Fleming from Foster City won silver as a part of 
     the two-member Bobsled Team.
       Danny Kass of Mammoth Lakes won the silver medal in the 
     Snowboarding Half-Pipe event.
       Julia Mancuso from Olympic Valley won gold in the Alpine 
     Skiing Giant Slalom.
       Finally, Shaun White of Carlsbad brought home the gold 
     medal in the Snowboarding Half-pipe event.

  The spirit of adventure and determination displayed by these athletes 
is a wonderful example of our country's potential to achieve. I hope 
you are heartened, as I am, to learn of Americans striving for personal 
excellence. I extend my sincere congratulations to California Olympians 
and all of our country's athletes, and I thank them for their great 
team spirit.

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