[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 18]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 24522]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SUNSHINE SLOPERS SKI CLUB

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. KENDRICK B. MEEK

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 8, 2009

  Mr. MEEK of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the 20th 
Anniversary of the Sunshine Slopers Ski Club, the first African-
American ski club in the state of Florida.
  Skiing, a sport that is an exhilarating activity that allows 
individuals and families to enjoy a natural environment and participate 
in physical activity, may seem uncommon for residents in the State of 
Florida. Yet, the Sunshine Slopers Ski Club prospered throughout the 
last 20 years into a popular and successful club that positively 
impacts African-American communities through programs that provide 
opportunities for adults and youth to participate in recreational and 
competitive skiing.
  On June 28, 1989, the first organizational meeting of the Sunshine 
Slopers, Inc. was held at the North Dade Regional Library in Miami 
Gardens, Florida. Subsequent meetings were held at the same location 
while the group developed a club logo, selected club colors, and 
elected officers. By September 5, 1989, the club was established with 
36 charter members and was accepted as a developmental club of the 
Eastern Region of the NBS. The Sunshine Slopers, Inc. was incorporated 
on October 2, 1989, thereby becoming the first African-American ski 
club in the State of Florida. Soon thereafter, the officers began to 
get the club active through involvement in ski-better workshops and 
attending eastern regional board meetings.
  The groups first trips were: Beech Mountain, North Carolina; 
Snowshoe, West Virginia; Lake Tahoe, Nevada, Mini-Summit, and Smugglers 
Notch, Vermont, Winterfest. On March 22, 1990, during the American 
Challenge Cup Mini-Summit at Heavenly Ski Resort in Lake Tahoe, the 
Sunshine Slopers, Inc. was officially accepted into the National 
Brotherhood of Skiers by the national president Paul Ray, national 
membership director Naomi Bryson and eastern region vice president 
Jeanie Polk. Sunshine Slopers, Inc. was recognized by Polk as the 
fastest growing club in the country. At the end of its first year, 
membership was approximately 140 which included singles, married 
couples and children. Currently, there are about 200 members of the 
club.
  The Sunshine Slopers strongly supports the NBS' key focus of finding 
and developing Olympic caliber skiers. Their focus is one of a kind, 
and fosters assertiveness, self-actualization, and self-determination. 
Additionally, they aim to develop leaders that are a benefit to various 
communities. The NBS provides funding to its youth programs in support 
of young athletes who otherwise would not have the opportunity or 
financial resources to ski competitively or recreationally.
  Madam Speaker, please join me in applauding Sunshine Slopers Ski Club 
as it celebrates 20 years of synonymous and exceptional experience to 
the sport of skiing--which in turn offers unique opportunities to allow 
all Floridians and Americans a chance to be together outside and enjoy 
the season. I appreciate this opportunity to congratulate Sunshine 
Slopers Ski Club before the United States House of Representatives.

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