```

[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 697 Engrossed in House (EH)]

H. Res. 697

                 In the House of Representatives, U.S.,

                                                           May 2, 2006.
Whereas from February 17 to February 26, 2006, Turin, Italy, hosted the 2006 
        Olympic Winter Games;
Whereas this is the third time Italy has hosted the Olympic Games, with the 
        prior Winter Games having been held in 1956 in Cortina d'Ampezzo and the 
        Summer Games having been held in 1960 in Rome;
Whereas the people of Turin and the surrounding Alpine areas have opened their 
        hearts to the world, demonstrated their passions for sports, art, and 
        culture, and strengthened the bonds between the city of Turin and the 
        surrounding Alpine areas;
Whereas the city of Turin accommodated nearly 2,600 athletes, more than 2,700 
        trainers and escorts, 18,000 volunteers, 9,500 members of the media, and 
        nearly 1,000,000 spectators at 7 competition sites and 3 Olympic 
        villages;
Whereas in light of a global terror threat, Italian authorities implemented 
        extraordinary security measures and successfully coordinated the efforts 
        of 10,000 police officers and 2,500 Italian military personnel, 
        providing effective and efficient protection, while also ensuring a 
        secure and stable environment for both athletes and spectators alike;
Whereas through the stewardship of the International Olympic Committee and the 
        Torino Olympic Organizing Committee, athletes representing 80 different 
        countries competed in 15 disciplines of winter sport with the spirit of 
        mutual respect and understanding, furthering the Olympic legacy of 
        ``peace between nations, equality, fair play, loyalty and respect'';
Whereas well over 200 members of the United States Olympic Team participated in 
        the Games and embodied the spirit of this Nation with resolve and 
        determination and won 25 medals, including 9 gold medals;
Whereas 477 athletes from 39 countries competed for 9 days in March 2006 in 
        Turin at the 2006 Paralympic Winter Games, which were organized in 1948 
        as a venue for injured World War II veterans to compete, demonstrating 
        not an individual's disability, but rather the individual's achievements 
        in athleticism; and
Whereas the United States Olympic Team ranked second among all nations in the 
        number of medals won at the 2006 Olympic Winter Games and the United 
        States Paralympic Team ranked seventh among all nations in the number of 
        medals won at the 2006 Paralympic Winter Games: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) commends the people and Government of Italy, and specifically 
        the people of Turin and the surrounding Alpine areas, the Torino Olympic 
        Organizing Committee, and the International Olympic Committee on the 
        successful completion of the 2006 Olympic Winter Games;
            (2) congratulates the United States Olympic Committee, the 2006 
        United States Olympic and Paralympic Teams, and all international 
        athletes for their outstanding performances at the 2006 Olympic Winter 
        Games; and
            (3) expresses gratitude to the thousands of volunteers and others 
        who made the 2006 Olympic Winter Games exciting, safe, and successful.

            Attest:

                                                                 Clerk.
```