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“TRIBUTE TO BOB MATHIAS” mentioning the U.S. Dept of State was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E366 on March 12, 1998.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
TRIBUTE TO BOB MATHIAS
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HON. GEORGE P. RADANOVICH
of california
in the house of representatives
Thursday, March 12, 1998
Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Bob Mathias. This year marks the 50th Anniversary of Bob Mathias' Olympic Decatholon Gold Medal victory. Mr. Mathias is recognized as both an exceptional athlete and dedicated American. He has certainly left his mark in many ways.
Bob Mathias had a historical career in athletics that has been matched by no other athlete of our time. In 1948, Bob shocked the world by winning the Olympic gold medal in the decathlon. Bob was seventeen years old at the time, becoming the youngest person ever to win an Olympic gold medal in track and field. This record still stand today. Mathias was recognized as the most outstanding amateur athlete in the United States when he received the Sullivan Award in 1949. He never lost a decathlon championship and retired undefeated after winning the gold medal again in the '52 Olympics. Bob was also an All-American running back for Stanford University, where he became the only athlete to play in the Rose Bowl and compete in the Olympics in the same year
(1952). He was then drafted by the Washington Redskins in the 1952 NFL draft.
After his distinguished athletic career, Bob began to use his talents in many different fields. He served as an underwater demolition specialist in the US Marine Corps from 1954 to 1956. He also traveled extensively around the world for the U.S. State Department on good will missions, reporting to President Eisenhower. In 1954, Bob began his acting career when he starred in the movie ``The Bob Mathias Story.'' John Wayne then signed him to be an actor in Hollywood where he worked in many films until 1960. In 1966, Bob Mathias was elected to the U.S. Congress where he served four terms as a distinguished Congressman from California.
Always a champion of youth, Bob became the director of the US Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. He worked there from 1977 through 1983 and built the center into a showcase for our athletes. Bob then served as the Executive Director of the National Fitness Foundation until 1987. He is currently the United States Goodwill Ambassador. Bob is married to Gwen and lives in Fresno.
Mr. Speaker, it is with great honor that I pay tribute to Bob Mathias. This year is the 50th Anniversary of his Olympic Decathlon Gold Medal victory. His dedication and exemplary efforts should serve as an inspiration to all. I ask my colleagues to join me in wishing Bob Mathias continued success for the future.
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