Thomas Daschle: “lately we have watched, marveled at and cherished several monumental athletic achievements. A young woman from Idaho…”

“lately we have watched, marveled at and cherished several monumental athletic achievements. A young woman from Idaho, Picabo Street, abbreviates knee surgery recovery to win the gold medal in the Super-G at the Olympic Games in Nagano. John Elway, a 14-year veteran and one of the NFL's premier quarterbacks, leads the underdog Denver Broncos to a victory in Super Bowl XXXII. And, just last weekend, ``The Great One,'' Wayne Gretzky of the New York Rangers, makes history by becoming the first professional hockey player to score 1,000 goals. Mr. President, in keeping with the competitive spirit and standard of excellence embodied in such athletic feats, I want to acknowledge another noteworthy sporting accomplishment. A little more than a week ago, on March 1, the Senate pages trounced the House pages, 70 to 35, in the Congress Bowl--a knock-down, drag-out, 8 against 8 battle to the finish. Before a standing room only crowd, the competition was fierce and the play physical in the inaugural meeting of these arch rivals. And, like Picabo Street, John Elway and Wayne Gretsky before them, the Senate athletes demonstrated superior determination, teamwork and skill in cruising to victory.”