Commemorates Olympic and Paralympic Games, celebrates unity and competition on the world stage
The Senate today unanimously passed a resolution introduced by U.S. Senators Mitt Romney (R-UT) and Michael Bennet (D-CO) commemorating the past success of the United States Olympic and Paralympic teams and showing support for Team USA in the 2020 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games in Tokyo, Japan. The resolution was cosponsored by Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), and Chris Coons (D-DE).
Before the Senate passed the resolution, Senator Romney delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor:
I rise today to introduce a resolution with Senators Bennet, Hagerty, Klobuchar, and Coons to honor the 2020 Olympic Games that officially start tomorrow. More than 600 of our finest athletes have traveled to Tokyo to represent the United States. These athletes trained their entire lives to compete this month on the world’s biggest stage. They have shed blood, sweat, and tears and have sacrificed countless hours – many while working separate, full time jobs and raising families of their own. Of course – no one thought the 2020 Olympics would be starting tomorrow. COVID-19 did not just delay the Games for a year, it also meant hundreds of qualifying events around the world had to be canceled and relocated.
We recognize the dedication of the athletes and coaches of the United States Olympic and Paralympic Teams as well as the family, friends, and loved ones who support them. We are grateful to our friends in Japan who have committed tremendous resources to provide a safe and secure Games. I think with great gratitude for these people of Japan–the people of that great country–for the enormous sacrifice they’ve made to host the world, to demonstrate to the world that qualities of the human spirit are great indeed, and to make their home a place where the entire world comes to gather to celebrate the human spirit and its accomplishments. While these Games may look a little different this year, we stand with Team USA and will be cheering them on as they bring many medals back home.
The full text of the resolution can be found below:
Whereas, for 125 years, the Olympic Movement has worked to build a better and more peaceful world by educating young people through amateur athletics, bringing together athletes from many countries in friendly competition, and forging new relationships bound by friendship, solidarity, and fair play;
Whereas the 2020 Olympic Games will take place in Tokyo, Japan, from July 23, 2021, to August 8, 2021, and the 2020 Paralympic Games will take place in Tokyo, Japan, from August 24, 2021, to September 5, 2021;
Whereas, at the 2020 Olympic Games, 206 countries will compete in more than 330 events in nearly 40 disciplines, and at the 2020 Paralympic Games, more than 165 countries will compete in events in 22 disciplines;
Whereas the United States Olympic and Paralympic Teams have won 1,974 gold medals, 1,685 silver medals, and 1,536 bronze medals, totaling 5,195 medals, during the past Olympic and Paralympic Games;
Whereas the United States plans to send 613 athletes to participate in the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games, including a record 329 women;
Whereas the people of the United States stand united in respect for and admiration of the members of the United States Olympic and Paralympic Teams and the athletic accomplishments, sportsmanship, and dedication to excellence of the United States Olympic and Paralympic Teams;
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 individuals on the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee and the National Governing Bodies of Sport and the many administrators, coaches, and family members who provided critical support to the athletes;
Whereas the United States Government is grateful to Japan for hosting the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games;
Whereas Japan successfully hosted the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, the first ever Olympic Games to be held in Asia, as a symbol of Japanese postwar reconstruction and a catalyst for economic growth and technological development;
Whereas Japan successfully hosted the 1972 Winter Olympics in Sapporo and the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano;
Whereas the people of the United States take great pride in the qualities of commitment to excellence, grace under pressure, and goodwill toward competitors exhibited by the athletes of the United States Olympic and Paralympic Teams;
and
Whereas the Olympic Movement celebrates competition, fair play, and the pursuit of glory, elevating the eternal qualities of the human spirit to the world stage:
Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate—
(1) supports proceeding with the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games in a safe and secure environment;
(2) commends the Government of Japan and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government in their efforts to commit tremendous resources to provide a safe and secure environment for the athletes competing in the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games;
(3) applauds the athletes and coaches of the United States Olympic and Paralympic Teams and their families who support them;
(4) supports the athletes of the United States Olympic and Paralympic Teams in their endeavors at the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games held in Tokyo, Japan; and
(5) supports the goals and ideals of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games.
