James M. Jeffords: “Today I rise to recognize Kelly Clark, the snowboarder from West Dover, VT, who on Sunday earned, for the United States…”

“Today I rise to recognize Kelly Clark, the snowboarder from West Dover, VT, who on Sunday earned, for the United States, the first gold medal of the 2002 Winter Olympics in the women's halfpipe event. That is not 'half pint.' That is 'halfpipe.' One has to know the skiing history to understand what a halfpipe is. Kelly's enthusiasm and tremendous skill and ambitious drive are equaled only by her beaming smile. Kelly's achievement on Sunday was more than athletic ability. It means more than pride to her fellow Vermonters. A gold medal in an Olympic event brings people together, especially when they need it most. When have Americans needed someone to root for more than we do right now? I am especially pleased, of course, that the focus of our attention and congratulations is an 18-year-old from southern Vermont. Thank you, Kelly, for giving your best, for making us proud, and for winning the gold. I do not know how many have watched these events, but snowboarding is something which really started pretty much in Vermont. It has been perfected there, and now it is all over the world. Today is Kelly Clark's day.”