A resolution commending Maryland's Olympians on their accomplishments at the 2004 Summer Olympic Games in Athens, Greece.

Mr. President, the 2004 Summer Olympic Games in Athens, which took place between August 13-29, have added a vivid and memorable chapter to the Olympic tradition, which first took shape in Greece nearly three millennia ago, and which in its modern form dates back to 1896. The Athens 2004 Organizing Committee, the U.S. Olympic Committee, the International Olympic Committee and dozens of other organizations, the U.S. Olympic Team and thousands of athletes from all over the world, the unwavering determination to meet unprecedented challenges and the good will and hard work of the people of Greece all contributed to assuring the success of the Games. In tribute to their magnificent achievement, today I am joined by a number of my colleagues in introducing a resolution to express our gratitude and congratulations.

Greece took on a daunting challenge when, in 1997, the nation was designated by the International Olympic Committee to serve as host to the 2004 Summer Games. With the exception of Finland, where the 1952 Games took place, in terms of population Greece is the smallest Olympic host ever. To prepare for the return of the Games to Athens, where the first modern Olympics were held in 1896, the whole nation came together in a great common effort. The President and Managing Director of the Athens 2004 Organizing Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games and their associates worked closely with the Mayor of Athens, the Ministries of Public Works and Culture and other government agencies to assure a setting and facilities uniquely appropriate to the great events. The people of Greece, in Athens and also in communities around the Nation, gave their full support to the preparatory efforts and opened their hearts to the athletes.

The events of September 11, 2001 raised the challenge of preparing for the Olympic Games to unprecedented heights, for they fundamentally changed the security and logistical context for all major international events--and indeed, as we know from our recent political conventions, for all large gatherings. As the Athens Games were the first summer Games to occur after 9/11, Greece had neither precedents nor guidelines upon which to rely in planning for the security of some 10,500 Olympic athletes, 5,500 team officials and literally millions of visitors. The challenges were all the more formidable because many of the events, including soccer and shot put, were held in places as distant from Athens as Thessaloniki and ancient Olympia.

Greece undertook to do everything ``humanly possible'' to ensure the safety and success of the Games. The Athens 2004 Organizing Committee carried out a careful study and analysis of the security arrangements for the somewhat smaller Winter Games that had taken place in 2002, in Salt Lake City.

A specially trained security force of 45,000 men and women was deployed, which included military and air force personnel, coast guards, fire fighters, law enforcement officials and private security contractors. The government of Greece worked in close collaboration with the United States, Britain, Israel, France, Germany, Australia, and Spain, along with NATO, guided by two principles: every single nation had an interest in having its athletes compete safely, and all nations working toward a common objective--the ultimate success of the Games--would provide the most effective deterrent to a terrorist act. As a result, while security measures were comprehensive and complex they were expertly and unobtrusively carried out, in no way detracting from the spirit of the Games. Athletes and visitors alike moved about unimpeded, and competition went forward in the finest Olympic tradition.

Major investments in infrastructure also contributed significantly to the smooth functioning of the Games. Athens today is a city transformed. Since 1997, when the International Olympic Committee designated Greece as the host country for the 2004 Games, transportation and telecommunications systems have been expanded and modernized. The investments Greece has made in connection with the Olympics have created unprecedented opportunities for the future. The Olympic stadium complex, which includes the aquatic and tennis center, as well as the indoor arena and main stadium, will serve as major training facilities for many years to come. The soccer facilities will be highly sought after for international soccer events. Overall, infrastructure improvements have laid a sound foundation for economic growth and prosperity nationwide. Having met a daunting challenge, Greece is now poised to take on new responsibilities in an expanded European Union, and in the broad international community. Where the cherished tradition of the Summer Olympics is concerned, Greece has shown what can be accomplished. The experience in Athens will surely prove invaluable to China, which fours years from now will play host to the Games in Beijing.

As a Marylander, I am especially proud of the signal accomplishments of Maryland athletes, and I am sure my colleagues take similar pride in the athletes from their respective states. The performance of the U.S. Olympic Team members in one stirring event after another will long be remembered, as anyone fortunate enough to have witnessed the competition firsthand will attest.

Above and beyond the excitement and the triumphs of the different events, however, the Athens Olympics gave us something more. The 2004 Games showed that even in uncertain and turbulent times, it is possible with determination and planning and foresight to bring together men and women of good will from every corner of the globe in a great common endeavor. This is for all of us a both a reminder and an inspiration.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that several articles be printed in the Record.

Mr. President, I have sought recognition to submit a resolution reauthorizing the John Heinz Senate Fellowship Program. This Congressional fellowship program, created in 1992, is a fitting tribute to my late colleague and dear friend, United States Senator John Heinz. Senator Heinz dedicated his life and much of his Congressional career to improving the lives of senior citizens. He believed that Congress has a special responsibility to serve as a guardian for those who cannot protect themselves. This fellowship program, which focuses on aging issues, honors the life and continues the legacy of Senator Heinz.

During his 20 years in the Congress, John Heinz compiled an enviable record of accomplishments. While he was successful in many areas, he built a national reputation for his strong commitment to improving the quality of life of our Nation' s elderly. Pennsylvania, with nearly 2 million citizens aged 65 or older--over 15 percent of the population-- houses the second largest elderly population nationwide. As John traveled throughout the State, he listened to the concerns of this important constituency and came back to Washington to address their needs through policy and legislation.

Senator Heinz led the fight against age discrimination by championing legislation to eliminate the requirement that older Americans must retire at age 65, and by ensuring full retirement pay for older workers employed by factories forced to close. During his Chairmanship of the Senate Special Committee on Aging from 1981-1986 and his tenure as Ranking Minority Member from 1987-1991, Senator Heinz used his position to improve health care accessibility and affordability for senior citizens and to reduce fraud and abuse within Federal health care programs. Congress enacted his legislation to provide Medicare recipients a lower cost alternative to fee-for-service medicine, as well as his legislation to add a hospice benefit to the Medicare program.

John also recognized the great need for nursing home reforms. He was successful in passing legislation mandating that safety measures be implemented in nursing homes and ensuring that nursing home residents cannot be bound and tied to their beds or wheelchairs.

The John Heinz Senate Fellowship Program will help continue the efforts of Senator Heinz to give our Nation's elderly the quality of life they deserve. The program encourages the identification and training of new leadership in aging policy by awarding fellowships to qualified candidates to serve in a Senate office or with a Senate Committee. The goal of this program is to advance the development of public policy in issues affecting senior citizens. Administered by the Heinz Family Foundation in conjunction with the Secretary of the Senate, the program allows fellows to bring their firsthand experience in aging issues to the work of Congress. Heinz fellows who are advocates for aging issues spend a year to help us learn about the effects of Federal policies on our elderly citizens, those who are social workers help us find better ways to protect our nation's elderly from abuse and neglect, and those who are health care providers help us to build a strong health care system that addresses the unique needs of our seniors.

The Heinz fellowship enables us to train new leaders in senior citizen advocacy and aging policy. The fellows return to their respective careers with a new understanding about how to work effectively with government, so they may better fulfill their goals as senior citizen advocates.

The John Heinz Senate Fellowship Program has been a valuable tool for Congress and our communities since its establishment in 1992. The continuation of this vital program will signal a sustained commitment to our nation's elderly. I urge my colleagues to join me in cosponsoring this resolution, and urge its swift adoption.

Mr. President, I rise today to commend the American athletes for their participation in the 2004 Olympic Games. These athletes made us proud not only of their victories, but also of their sportsmanship. The heart, focus and perseverance exhibited by these men and women offered us an opportunity to reflect on the values and characteristics that embody the very best of the American Spirit.

All of our athletes should be commended, but because they played a very prominent role in these games, I want to take a moment to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of Maryland's Olympic athletes. This year, we were very fortunate to have fourteen Marylanders compete. This group of athletes, which included both the youngest and the oldest members of the U.S. team, represented Maryland and the United States with honor and dignity and excelled in their various competitions. Marylanders participated in a variety of sports ranging from swimming and track and field, to whitewater slalom canoeing and table tennis. Our State boasted household names like Michael Phelps and Carmelo Anthony as well as rising stars like Bernard Williams and Courtney Kupets. The delegation included individuals from all over the State, from the City of Annapolis to Howard County, from Bethesda to Gaithersburg to Baltimore City, and from Upper Marlboro to Towson and Abingdon.

And although they come from a diversity of backgrounds, each demonstrated the common spirit of what it means to be a true Olympian. We saw that spirit in Carmelo Anthony's refusal to quit after the men's basketball team suffered a series of difficult and surprising losses. We saw it in the decisions of Liz Filter and Nancy Haberland to compete in the face of challenging life circumstances. It was reflected in the wisdom and experience of Libby Callahan as well as the youthful exuberance of 15 year-old swimmer Katie Hoff. It shined through Jun Gao when on day four of the table tennis competition, as the only member of the U.S. team still in competition, she shouldered the hopes of her teammates.

The Olympic spirit was further reflected in paddlers Joe Jacobi and Scott Parsons, who focused on the experience and joy of the performance. Courtney Kupets and Rhadi Ferguson showed enormous bravery by overcoming serious injuries to make the U.S. team and compete for their country. Ms. Kupets brought home two medals, a silver in the team competition and a bronze in the individual uneven bars. And Michael Phelps, who won six gold and two bronze medals, showed that the team is more important than individual accomplishment when he yielded his spot on the 4 x 100 medley relay squad and an opportunity for further glory to teammate Ian Crocker.

Finally, Maryland's track and field athletes should be commended for their heart and concentration. Tiombe Hurd, who is legally blind, overcame her vision obstacles to finish 22nd in a crowded triple jump field. Bernard Williams and James Carter, who hail from Baltimore public schools, Carver Vocational-Technical High School and Mergenthaler Vocational-Technical High School, showed the world the kind of talent and poise Baltimore City's public schools can produce, taking home a silver in the 200 meter sprint and a fourth place finish in the 400 meter hurdles.

Maryland, and America, should be proud of their Olympic athletes. Through their actions both on and off the field of competition, they exhibited the grace, sportsmanship, and determination that signify a true Olympian. Congratulations are due to all of our athletes both for their individual successes and for the way they, as a team, showed the world the best our nation has to offer.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 426, submitted earlier today by Senators Sarbanes and Mikulski.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution and preamble be agreed to en bloc, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, and that any statements relating thereto be printed in the Record, without intervening action or debate.