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[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 704 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

110th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 704

Congratulating the members of the United States Olympic and Paralympic 
Teams on their success in the 2008 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games 
 and supporting the selection of Chicago, Illinois, as the site of the 
               2016 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games.

_______________________________________________________________________

                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

            October 2 (legislative day, September 17), 2008

    Mr. Reid (for himself, Mr. Durbin, Mrs. Murray, and Mr. Obama) 
 submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
Congratulating the members of the United States Olympic and Paralympic 
Teams on their success in the 2008 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games 
 and supporting the selection of Chicago, Illinois, as the site of the 
               2016 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Whereas the 2008 Summer Olympic Games were conducted in Beijing, China, from 
        August 8 to August 24, 2008;
Whereas 10,500 athletes from 204 countries participated in 302 events in 28 
        sports and inspired people around the world with their dedication, 
        discipline, athletic achievement, and spirit of fair play, representing 
        the best traditions of Olympic competition;
Whereas 596 men and women represented the United States in the 2008 Summer 
        Olympic Games as members of the United States Olympic Team;
Whereas those United States Olympians competed in 27 sports and continued the 
        great legacy of athleticism and sportsmanship that has characterized the 
        history of United States Olympic competition;
Whereas, in the 2008 Summer Olympic Games, the United States sustained and 
        increased its clear dominance as the most successful country in the 
        history of the Olympic Games;
Whereas athletes from the United States won more medals in the 2008 Summer 
        Olympic Games than athletes from any other country;
Whereas swimmer Michael Phelps of Maryland earned recognition as one of the 
        greatest athletes of all time by winning an extraordinary 8 gold medals 
        in the 2008 Summer Olympic Games to surpass the previous single-year 
        record of 7 Olympic gold medals by Mark Spitz, also a swimmer from the 
        United States;
Whereas Michael Phelps now also holds the record for the most Olympic gold 
        medals ever won by a single athlete, with a remarkable 14 gold medals;
Whereas, in the 2008 Summer Olympic Games, the United States demonstrated its 
        continued preeminence in team sports, with the men's and women's 
        basketball teams, the men's volleyball team, the women's soccer team, 
        and the men's and women's 4x400-meter relay teams winning gold medals;
Whereas more than 200 athletes from the United States competed in 18 sports on 
        behalf of the United States in the 2008 Summer Paralympic Games in 
        Beijing, China, from September 6 to September 17, 2008;
Whereas the United States Paralympic Team earned 99 medals, including 36 gold 
        medals, reminding the world that physical challenges are no limit to 
        human achievement;
Whereas United States Army First Lieutenant Melissa Stockwell, who lost her left 
        leg to a roadside bomb in Baghdad in 2004, became the first veteran of 
        the war in Iraq to compete in the Paralympic Games when she swam in the 
        women's 100-meter butterfly, 100-meter freestyle, and 400-meter 
        freestyle;
Whereas the people of the United States stand united in respect and admiration 
        for the members of the United States Olympic and Paralympic Teams, and 
        the Teams' athletic accomplishments, sportsmanship, and dedication to 
        excellence;
Whereas the many accomplishments of the United States Olympic and Paralympic 
        Teams would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication 
        of many others, including the United States Olympic Committee and the 
        many administrators, coaches, and family members who provided critical 
        support for the athletes:
Whereas the Olympic movement celebrates competition, fair play, and the pursuit 
        of dreams;
Whereas the United States and, in particular, the city of Chicago, Illinois, 
        celebrate those same ideals; and
Whereas Chicago has never hosted the Olympic and Paralympic Games: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) extends congratulations for a job well done to all 
        members of the United States Olympic and Paralympic Teams and 
        to everyone who supported the Teams' efforts at the 2008 Summer 
        Olympic and Paralympic Games; and
            (2) encourages the International Olympic Committee to 
        choose Chicago, Illinois, as the site of the 2016 Summer 
        Olympic and Paralympic Games and offers support and cooperation 
        in ensuring successful Olympic and Paralympic Games in Chicago 
        in 2016.
                                 <all>
```