[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 5]
[Senate]
[Pages 6541-6542]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




       CELEBRATING THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CAPITOL CHALLENGE

  Mr. LUGAR. Mr. President, as we celebrate the 25th anniversary of the 
annual 3-mile Capitol Challenge race, we reflect upon the history of 
this event and how it has brought together members of the legislative, 
executive, and judicial branches of the Federal Government with members 
of the print and electronic media through exercise and fellowship.
  Since the first race in 1981, which was held in East Potomac Park, 
annual proceeds and registration fees have benefited the Special 
Olympics.
  During the ensuing years, the race has evolved to a new location and 
expanded to accommodate and increasing number of participants. In 2002, 
the race moved from the fall to the spring while also moving from East 
Potomac Park to Anacostia Park.
  Current races bring out more than 650-700 participants each year, 
including 30-35 Members of Congress.
  It has been estimated that, since the first race in 1981, over 15,000 
runners have competed, and of those 15,000 runners, nearly 800 Members 
of Congress have participated.
  Furthermore, each year a celebrity runner has joined the race which 
brings enthusiasm to the morning's event while running and helping to 
present the following awards.
  1st Place Overall
  1st Senator
  1st Representative
  1st Cabinet Department or Independent Agency Head
  1st Sub-Cabinet
  1st Judge
  1st Print Journalist
  1st Electronic Journalist
  Top Three Captains (or equivalent) *Age 60-69
  Top Three Captains (or equivalent) *Age 70 and over
  Male and Female Divisions for Above Awards
  Top Two Senate Teams
  Top Two House Teams
  Top Two Judicial Teams
  Top Two Executive Teams
  Top Two Print Teams
  Top Two Print Media Teams
  Top Two Electronic Media Teams
  To commemorate the 25th running of the Capitol Challenge race I am 
including for the Record the dates of each of the previous races.
  Nike Capital Challenge--September 10, 1981
  Nike Capital Challenge--September 9, 1982
  Nike Capital Challenge--September 15, 1983
  Nike Capital Challenge--September 13, 1984
  Nike Capital Challenge--September 12, 1985
  Nike Capital Challenge--September 11, 1986
  Nike Capital Challenge--September 15, 1987
  Nike Capital Challenge--September 15, 1988
  Nike Capital Challenge--September 14, 1989
  Nike Capital Challenge--September 13, 1990
  Nike Capital Challenge--September 12, 1991
  Nike Capital Challenge--September 17, 1992
  Nike Capital Challenge--September 15, 1993
  Nike Capital Challenge--September 21, 1994
  Nike Capital Challenge--September 20, 1995

[[Page 6542]]

  Nike Capital Challenge--September 18, 1996
  SGMA Capital Challenge--September 17, 1997
  SGMA Capital Challenge--September 16, 1998
  SGMA Capital Challenge--September 15, 1999
  SGMA Capital Challenge--September 13, 2000
  SGMA Capital Challenge--May 1, 2002
  SGMA Capital Challenge--May 7, 2003
  ACLI Capital Challenge--May 5, 2004
  ACLI Capital Challenge--May 11, 2005
  ACLI Capital Challenge--May 3, 2006
  Additionally, I would like to give special thanks to Mr. Jeff Darman 
for his important public service as race director of the Capital 
Challenge and for his vision in founding the race. Jeff has served as 
the race director for every race and he provides tireless leadership in 
its organization by obtaining needed permits and resources for its 
resounding success.
  I hope that you will join me in wishing competitors safety and 
success as they compete this year and for the continuing success for 
many years to come.

                          ____________________