Max Baucus: “I rise to take a moment to share with the Senate the remarkable accomplishments of some truly "high fliers." All of us…”

“I rise to take a moment to share with the Senate the remarkable accomplishments of some truly "high fliers." All of us in this body travel to schools and encourage tomorrow's leaders to "aim high." Last week, three Montana pole vaulters did just that and the result was that collegiate and high school records fell. Three extraordinary women, all from my hometown of Helena, made a bit of history. On the collegiate level, Helena High Graduate and University of Montana freshman Nicole Zeller twice set new Big Sky Conference records in the pole vault, first by clearing 11 feet 10 inches, and then, improving her own record with a vault of 12 feet, 1/2 inch. Meanwhile, two Helena high school students--one from my and Senator Roth's alma mater, Helena High, the other from Capital High--were registering the two best vaults in the nation this year. One of them set a new national record for high school pole vaulters. Not only did Shannon Agee of Helena High set a new national record. She beat the old one by a mile. She vaulted 13 feet and eclipsed the old record by a full incredible five inches. On the same day, Capital High senior Suzanne Krings cleared 12 feet 6 inches, giving her the second-best vault in the nation this year. So today, Mr. President, I extend my congratulations to Shannon, Suzanne and Nicole for showing all of us how to soar.”