On the recordFebruary 9, 2022
Minnesota is known for our winters. Most think we endure them, but the truth is, we celebrate them. From ice fishing to pond hockey to skiing, we love our snow and ice. That is why I rise today to honor the 23 Minnesotans representing Team USA at this year's winter games. Despite a population of under 6 million people, Minnesota sent more athletes to the Olympics than 49 of our 50 States and 61 of the 91 nations at the Olympics. Five of those athletes hail from the district I represent, Minnesota's Frozen Third, including Jake Brown, Brock Faber, Dani Cameranesi, Grace Zumwinkle, and Kelly Pannek. This is the first winter games in history to rely on almost 100 percent artificial snow, and if climate change continues to accelerate, few cities in the world will have enough snow to host future Winter Olympic Games. Countless jobs in my district rely on snow and winter, like those at Strata Systems, which helped design the sleds for our luge team, and Polaris, the iconic snowmobile maker. We need to keep the North cold all around the world, and I invite my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to help us do so. ____________________
