Congratulating the people and Government of Italy, the Torino Olympic Organizing Committee, the International Olympic Committee, the United States Olympic Committee, the 2006 United States Olympic and Paralympic Teams, and all international athletes upon the successful completion of the 2006 Olympic Winter Games in Turin, Italy.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 697) congratulating the people and Government of Italy, the Torino Olympic Organizing Committee, the International Olympic Committee, the United States Olympic Committee, the 2006 United States Olympic Team, and all international athletes upon the successful completion of the 2006 Olympic Winter Games in Turin, Italy, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to request my colleagues' support of House Resolution 697, a resolution congratulating the people and the Government of Italy, the United States Olympic and Paralympic Teams, and other individuals and committees from around the world on the successful completion of the 20th Winter Olympic Games, which were held in Turin, Italy.

``Passion Lives Here'' was the slogan for the Italian Winter Games. The world watched the Games from the opening to the closing ceremonies and witnessed the emotion of the event that stems from thousands of athletes and trainers from every corner of the globe participating in a competition that knows no border or political dispute.

For North and South Korea to march together for the first time during a Winter Olympics opening ceremony, although these two countries are still technically at war, the hope for continued progress toward peace among many differing nations was clearly evident.

This is what the spirit of the Olympics means for all of us for a few short

weeks every 4 years. Unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, since September 11, the entire world has been transformed. Now, unprecedented levels of security are required to protect Olympic athletes and their teams from attacks.

After all, the Olympic Games were once the target of horrifying attacks on athletes by terrorists. This resolution commends our good friends and allies, the people and Government of Italy, for their extraordinary efforts in protecting the world's athletes during these games.

To implement such an extraordinary security measure while also ensuring the fun, passionate Olympic environment is something not many countries can do with such successful orchestration.

Mr. Speaker, the United States Olympic Committee and team should also be congratulated for winning 25 medals during these Winter Games, nine of them gold, second only to the team's record for the number of medals won at the Winter Games that was set during the Salt Lake City games; and the United States Paralympic team ranks seventh among all nations in the number of medals won during the Paralympic Winter Games.

I would like to extend heartfelt congratulations to each of our medal winners who shall forever make the United States proud.

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

Mr. Speaker, I also have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

I rise in strong support of this resolution and urge all of my colleagues to do so as well.

I would first like to thank my good friend and colleague, Chairman Henry Hyde, for sponsoring this measure.

Mr. Speaker, just a few months ago, Italy hosted the winter Olympic Games in Torino. We want to congratulate the people and the government of Italy for the great success of these games.

The Torino Olympic Committee, the International Olympic Committee, and the United States Olympic Committee should be commended for these games, which were effectively and successfully organized and implemented.

The slogan of the games, Mr. Speaker, was ``Passion Lives Here,'' which was certainly an accurate depiction of the enthusiasm, passion and pride the Italian people have not only for sports but also for their wonderful culture and heritage. The welcoming attitude they displayed to citizens of over 80 nations of the world who sent Olympic athletes and guests was outstanding.

Mr. Speaker, I also want to commend those involved with the security aspect of the games. As we all know, this kind of world gathering unfortunately presents potential terrorist opportunities. The Italian government and security officials performed magnificently. The venue was stable and secure for athletes, officials and spectators.

These games have many memorable moments and many new records were made, but, for me, the highlight of the Torino Winter Games came when a 26-year-old American speed skater, Joey Cheek, announced that he would donate his $40,000 in bonus money to an organization called Right to Play, which helps children in poverty-stricken, war-torn countries in Africa. Joey also encouraged Olympic sponsors to do the same.

Mr. Speaker, Joey did not stop there. Just 2 days ago, tens of thousands of us rallied on the National Mall to call attention to the sickening and outrageous genocide occurring as we speak in Darfur, Sudan. It was my great pleasure to stand side by side with Joey Cheek at this rally where we both spoke to prod the international community not to forget the people of Darfur and to act to stop this genocide.

Joey Cheek's actions on behalf of the people of Africa, both at the Olympics and on the Mall, typify the true Olympic spirit.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Italy for keeping this Olympic spirit alive. These Torino games rekindled the spirit for another 4 years. It is important that, just as we have seen in these Italian games, the Olympics best demonstrate the spirit of competition and the spirit of selflessness that Joey Cheek and other athletes have typified.

This was the third time Italy has hosted the Olympic games, and judging by the welcoming attitude and success of the Torino games, we look forward to future Olympic events in Italy.

Mr. Speaker, I strongly support this resolution.

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

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