[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 2]
[Senate]
[Page 2252]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




    HONORING THE ILLINOIS ATHLETES OF THE 2010 WINTER OLYMPIC GAMES

  Mr. BURRIS. Madam President, we live in a world divided. 
International tension, mistrust, and even war too often separate nation 
from nation. But every 2 years, thousands of athletes from countries 
all over the world come together to celebrate the human spirit.
  They meet in competition, arriving on the world stage from all five 
inhabited continents. Each of these five continents is represented by a 
simple, colored circle--a ring intertwined with four others to form the 
familiar symbol worn by every Olympic athlete.
  The Olympic Games are a powerful force for world unity. And this 
year, for the 21st Winter Olympics, the eyes of the world turned to 
Vancouver, Canada--just across the border we share with our good 
friends to the north.
  As always, the competition was fierce in every sport. The greatest 
athletes in the world tested their skills on some of the most 
challenging courses in history. Records were set and broken.
  The world witnessed many triumphs--such as the success of a young 
Canadian figure skater, only days after the sudden loss of her mother.
  We also came together in the face of great tragedy, mourning the 
shocking death of a young athlete from the Republic of Georgia.
  Such Olympic moments, both triumphant and tragic, are blind to region 
or nationality. They remind us of the qualities and the limitations we 
share in every field of human endeavor. And at every moment, from the 
opening ceremonies until the Olympic flame was extinguished, these 
Winter Games served as a testament to all that we have in common. In a 
divided world, they served as an affirmation of the human spirit, and 
the value of friendship through sport.
  I am proud to note that the United States Olympic team ended these 
games with a total of 37 medals--more than any other country, and a new 
record for the most medals won at a single Winter Games.
  I would especially like to recognize and congratulate the Olympic 
athletes who hail from my home State of Illinois. These young men and 
women had the great honor of representing this country on the world 
stage, and they did us proud. In fact, 8 of the 37 total U.S. medals 
were won by Illinoisans.
  From Champaign to Chicago--from Wheaton, to Glenview, to Plainfield, 
to Glencoe, to Naperville--these 10 athletes took to the ski slopes, 
and the ice rinks, and the bobsled tracks, and they gave it their all. 
Some came home with Olympic gold. Some fell short of the finals. But 
they are all Olympians, and they all represented our country--and our 
State--with honor, integrity, and sportsmanship.
  So I take great pride in thanking the following Illinoisans for their 
dedication and hard work at this year's Olympic games: Lana Gehring, 
Katherine Reutter, Brian Hansen, Nancy Swider-Peltz, Jr., Shani Davis, 
Jonathon Kuck, Lisa Chesson, Evan Lysacek, James Moriarty, and Ben 
Agosto.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating these 10 
Illinoisans, along with their teammates, and every coach, parent, and 
supporter who contributed to the success of Team USA. I thank them for 
all they accomplished in Vancouver, and wish them nothing but continued 
success in the future.
  There are few international spectacles as singular and as inspiring 
as the Olympic games. A force for unity in a world divided, these 
competitions have the power to bring us together as one people, 
celebrating the human spirit with one voice.
  Thanks to the world-class athletes who took part, from the United 
States and more than 80 countries in every corner of the globe, this 
year's Winter games in Vancouver were no exception.
  I hope that as the world's athletes return to their respective 
countries, and as we turn our attention back to the challenges we face 
in our daily lives, this Olympic spirit of unity will persist until we 
meet again on the world stage, in London, for the 2012 Summer games.
  Congratulations to the Illinoisans and all of those who participated 
from the great United States of America in these games.
  Madam President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mrs. SHAHEEN. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mrs. SHAHEEN. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent to speak as in 
morning business.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

                          ____________________