Congratulating Lance Armstrong for winning the 2003 Tour de France.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 350) congratulating Lance Armstrong for winning the 2003 Tour de France.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on H. Res. 350.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 350 congratulates Lance Armstrong for winning the 2003 Tour de France, a race many consider the most grueling sporting event in the world.

Mr. Speaker, on July 27 Lance Armstrong won the incredible 23-day bicycle race through French mountains, countryside and cities to become the fifth cyclist in the 100-year history of the race to earn five Tour de France victories. Even more impressively, Lance won the race for the fifth consecutive year, becoming only the second person ever to do so.

Since this House recessed for the summer the same weekend as Lance's victory, I am very proud that on its first day back this distinguished body is recognizing the inspirational Lance Armstrong and his unbelievable courage, grit, and determination.

Lance Armstrong, one of the giants of American athletes over the last decade, was born to a 5'3", 105-pound 17-year-old mother in the suburbs of Dallas in September 1971.

Growing up, while other classmates were playing football or partying, Lance spent much of his free time running, riding his bicycle, swimming and exercising. At the age of 13, Lance began to enter triathalons all over the U.S. where he biked, ran and swam with the Nation's best.

As a high school senior, Armstrong qualified to train with the U.S. Olympic team, but ultimately he focused solely on cycling. As a cyclist he won the U.S. National Amateur Championship in 1991. Over the next 5 years, Lance won 12 bike races, including the World Championships in 1993. By 1996 Lance Armstrong was a top-rated cyclist in the world, but it was during 1996 after a victory at the Tour DuPont in North Carolina that he began to feel more fatigue and discomfort than usual, even after an exhausting race. Later that year he was diagnosed with testicular cancer. Some of Lance's doctors at the time gave him only a 40 percent chance of surviving. He would say later he thinks that they were only being nice when they said that.

Lance soon underwent three major operations and chemotherapy to fight off the disease that had spread to his abdomen, his lungs and his brain. The treatments were successful; and within a year of being diagnosed with cancer, he was pronounced cancer free. As a survivor, Lance has become one of the world's most influential cancer research advocates. Lance founded the Lance Armstrong Foundation to promote cancer research and awareness. He also wrote the best selling book, ``It's Not About the Bike: My Journey Back to Life,'' that tells the full story of how his early successes were interrupted by cancer, how he survived cancer, and how he eventually returned to racing and won his first Tour de France in 1999.

This year, having never won the race in his previous five victories by less than 6 minutes, Lance made his fans sweat a little bit. He ultimately won the 2,125 mile race by 61 seconds after he endured rain, fog, heat, illness, and even protesters, not to mention the indescribably punishing course.

President Bush called to congratulate him on the night of his fifth straight triumph.

In his book, Lance describes in gut-wrenching detail the miserable initial symptoms of testicular cancer. He explained the anguish of how it felt to learn he acquired the deadly disease in 1996 at a point when his racing career was literally just starting to take off. Perhaps the following excerpt that describes his life's spirit is the more enduring words of his book. He said, ``I want to die at 100 years old with an American flag on my back and the star of Texas on my helmet, after screaming down an Alpine descent on a bicycle at 75 miles per hour. I want to cross one last finish line as my wife and my 10 children applaud, and then I want to lie down in a field of those famous French sunflowers and gracefully expire: the perfect contradiction to my once anticipated poignant early demise.''

Mr. Speaker, Lance Armstrong is an incredible role model to all citizens for his relentless work ethic, unmatched physical fitness that has helped him become perhaps the greatest cyclist of all time. It is remarkable that he achieved his great accomplishments in the cycling world after he overcame cancer, proving to all that a person can not only defeat cancer, but can thrive after beating it.

Mr. Speaker, Lance turns 32 years old this month, more than 7 years after he miraculously overcame the cancer that experts said he had less than a 50 percent chance of surviving. Almost as remarkably, he has assured all his fans that he is determined to pursue a sixth straight Tour de France victory next summer. I, for one, cannot wait to cheer him on.

For all of these reasons, I urge all Members to support the adoption of House Resolution 350 that commemorates Lance Armstrong's fifth Tour de France victory.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, again, on behalf of the House, I want to congratulate Lance Armstrong for his most recent Tour de France win. I urge all Members to support the adoption of House Resolution 350.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I am here this afternoon principally, as with our colleague the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar), to honor my constituent Lance Armstrong. I join in offering hearty congratulations to a heroic American, Lance Armstrong. This proud Texan, cancer survivor, public health advocate, Olympian and now five- time Tour de France champion has captivated the imagination and won the hearts not only of Texas, but of our Nation and the world. However, I believe it is fair to say that nowhere is the enthusiasm for Lance's achievements greater than in his hometown of Austin, Texas.

We have an old French embassy from the days of the Republic of Texas there, and our relationships with France are good, so we mean no disrespect in saying that among us Austinites we refer to it as the ``Tour de Lance'' because he has had such success in representing our State and our country in this world athletic competition.

Lance was in Austin last Sunday night to be honored at the University of Texas Longhorn football game and victory, and he is honored there most every day by his many neighbors who applaud his success.

While we are proud to have Lance wear the red, white, and blue of our country and of the U.S. Postal Service team when he is in a race, we prefer to see him in yellow, when he crosses that finish line in that yellow jersey, a sign of courage, a sign of victory. It is appropriate for Lance's team to be sponsored by the Postal Service: while not faced with too much snow, despite rain and considerable heat and gloom of night, he stayed the course as a swift competitor for all of his appointed rounds.

Lance is a champion, defined not by his setbacks but by his relentless determination to overcome them. Indeed, this year's victory particularly was symbolic of the often rocky road that Lance Armstrong has ridden. Not until after a painful struggle through searing heat and a frightening crash late in the race did the true fortitude of the real Lance Armstrong emerge for all to see, a familiar grimace on his face, avoiding any obstacle in the way and leaving his closest competitors in the dust. Just as not so long ago when faced with his very steepest climb in life, Lance persevered and pushed himself to beat daunting challenges against long odds.

In Austin, we began development of the Lance Armstrong bikeway. This cross-town trail is a fitting tribute for his accomplishments, and it will be a safe route for community cyclists and pedestrians who want to get off the road when they exercise or commute to work. It is one of the examples of the worthwhile projects resulting from the transportation enhancements program this House will consider this week.

Lance has joined with those of us who are members of the bipartisan House cycling caucus on a number of occasions and has been active in promoting cycling. It is not just the people who wear a yellow jersey or race competitively who can enjoy the many benefits of cycling.

I hope the House will honor him not only with this resolution today, but by its actions in maintaining our commitment to the transportation enhancement program that will be on the floor on Friday.

Lance Armstrong also voices his concern in Austin and here in Washington through the Lance Armstrong Foundation, a foundation that he set up to encourage other nonprofits in their efforts to promote cancer survivorship. They are doing an outstanding job in Texas of raising this issue in cooperation with other health organizations here in Washington, D.C.

This Congress can pay tribute to Lance by seeing that we have the resources dedicated to cancer survivorship that are so very important to millions of Americans and adopting legislation to advance this important issue. The Cancer Survivorship and Quality of Life Act expands and coordinates the activities of the National Institutes of Health and the Center for Disease Control with respect to cancer survivorship research.

So to Lance we say thanks for your contributions to our country, particularly to central Texas, and your inspiration to children, to cancer survivors and to athletes worldwide. Congratulations on your success not only on the bike but, most importantly, for all of your successes in life. You have taught us the importance of survivorship; it is that we have so much for which to live.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of Chairman Davis' Resolution H. Res. 350, honoring Lance Armstrong. Mr. Chairman, I had planned to introduce a similar resolution with 24 cosponsors along with Representative McHugh and Representative Doggett. I have turned these cosponsors over to Chairman Davis and appreciate him adding them to his resolution.

Mr. Speaker, today we honor a man who has shown tremendous strength, courage, and perseverance in his struggle to overcome seemingly insurmountable odds. Lance Armstrong is a world-class cyclist who came back from a grueling battle with cancer to dominate in his sport; a man who has remembered those still battling against cancer and who strives each day to make a difference in their lives. I am pleased to join in honoring Mr. Lance Armstrong.

On Sunday, July 27, 2003, Lance Armstrong achieved his fifth consecutive Tour de France

victory. The completion of this 23-day, 2,125-mile cycling race is a significant accomplishment. Yet, even more significant are the odds that Mr. Armstrong overcame in order to compete in this, his ninth, Tour de France. After competing in the race from 1993 to 1996, Lance Armstrong was informed that he had testicular cancer that had spread to his abdomen, lungs, and brain.

This information was undoubtedly devastating to Lance Armstrong. However, this man was not about to give up on his life and dreams. He chose, instead, to fight cancer with all of his strength. He decided that the disease would not win. It took a long and difficult struggle, chemotherapy, and surgery, but Lance Armstrong remained strong and never gave up hope.

Mr. Armstrong is now in recovery, but he continues to fight cancer. After succeeding against enormous odds, he is now helping others as they face their own battles with cancer. In 1997 he founded the Lance Armstrong Foundation, or the LAF. This organization provides support, information, and services to cancer patients and survivors. Through the LAF, Lance Armstrong has supported thousands of cancer patients and survivors by actively advocating for their needs. His books It's Not About the Bike: My Journey Back to Life and Every Second Counts offer inspiration to those devastated by this terrible disease. By sharing his story, Mr. Armstrong has given comfort and hope to untold numbers of people battling cancer and their families.

Lance Armstrong's battles have only just begun. He continues to fight cancer through the Lance Armstrong Foundation and to hold his position as one of the greatest cyclists of all time. He has truly earned the pride of his coach, Chris Carmichael, his main sponsor, the United States Postal Service, and all of his loyal fans.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I congratulate Mr. Armstrong on his many tremendous accomplishments, especially his fifth consecutive Tour de France victory, and wish him all the happiness that life has to offer. I also want to commend Ms. Sarah Kinneer, a summer intern of mine, for her work on this Resolution. She worked hard and did an outstanding job.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support today of House Resolution 350. Mr. Speaker, Lance Armstrong, national and world champion cyclist, two-time Olympian, humanitarian, cancer survivor, and now five-time winner of the Tour de France, faced his first athletic challenge as a fifth grader in a second grade swim class. Through his now signature hard work and determination, Lance Armstrong was eventually put in a swim class with his own age group and later went on to place fourth in the 1,500 meter freestyle in his State.

At age 13 Lance became a junior triathalon athlete. At age 15, just 5 years after being placed in that second grade swim class, Lance Armstrong won so many triathalons he made over $20,000 in just one year. The swimming and running components of the triathalon gave way to cycling. In his junior year of high school, the U.S. Cycling Federation invited him to join the 1990 Junior World Championship Team in Moscow.

Born on September 18, 1971, Lance's athleticism was nurtured by his mother, Linda, a single parent who has been a constant source of strength and inspiration for Lance. This shy, all-American kid from the great State of Texas would become only the fifth rider in history to win the Tour de France five times. In 1991, Lance Armstrong won the Amateur Cycling Championship. He turned professional in 1992 and captured 10 titles by 1993. By the mid-1990s he had won the Tour DuPont twice and was being hailed as the finest U.S. cyclist.

In 1996, however, he was diagnosed with a very serious form of cancer. Given only a 50 percent chance of survival, he underwent surgery and chemotherapy. In one of the more impressive comebacks in sports history, he returned to cycling in 1998 and reached the pinnacle of his sport with five consecutive victories in the Tour de France, the sport's toughest and most prestigious race.

Lance Armstrong is truly in a class by himself and is well-deserving of this resolution in his honor.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar).

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Doggett).

Mr. Speaker, I rise to acknowledge the extraordinary accomplishment of Lance Armstrong in winning five consecutive Tours de France.

I have with me the principal newspaper in Paris that follows athletic events, Le Journal de Paris, whose headline says, ``les Parisiens etaient la a l'arrivee du Tour,'' `Parisiens were there when the tour arrived in Paris', and so was I. I made it my point, a long-held dream, to be on the Champs Elyssees for the final stage of the Tour de France, as an avid cyclist, to cheer and support Lance Armstrong, whom I have known for quite some time. I also got to ride the last leg of the tour, as this newspaper shows 11,000 other cyclists, wearing yellow jerseys with the logo ``La randonnee du centenaire'' (The Centennial Ride), riding the Champs Elyssees over the last 40 kilometers of the Tour de France; and not only that, but I was interviewed on French national television just quite by accident, I will say to my friend and my colleague from Texas, in French, and represented the United States I think very appropriately.

It is impossible to understand the accomplishment of Lance Armstrong unless one follows the events of cycling and understands the technical intricacies of the Tour de France. To say that it is like running a marathon every day for 3 weeks is in itself an understatement of the athleticism and the strength and the mental toughness that it takes to lead the tour, to win it five times in a row. And only one other cyclist in the 100-year history of the Tour de France has done that, Miguel Indurain of Spain. Three others have won it five times, though not consecutively; only two have won it consecutively.

Lance Armstrong represented the very best of America, the very best of athleticism, the very greatest in accomplishment in athletic history in winning five consecutive Tours de France, and all of America's proud of him, and I must say that all of France acknowledges his accomplishment. They recognize great accomplishments and great achievements on the athletic field and in other arenas as well, but for this one, Lance stands on the pedestal of history alone.