Bemidji's prowess in world-class curling won acclaim late Thursday in a resolution approved by the U.S. Senate.
Introduced by Minnesota's two senators, the resolution honors and recognizes the curling community of Bemidji for its efforts in both Minnesota and the United States.
Another resolution is also making its way through the U.S. House, introduced by U.S. Rep. Collin Peterson, DFL-7th District.
"I am excited to introduce this Senate resolution with Sen. Dayton recognizing the accomplishments of the Bemidji curling community and the area Olympians who represented their communities, state and nation with great class and pride during this year's winter games," U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman, R-Minn., said late Thursday in a joint statement with U.S. Sen. Mark Dayton, DFL-Minn., co-authors of Senate Resolution 397.
Both men's and women's U.S. curling teams -- the Pete Fenson rink and Cassie Johnson rink -- curled out of Bemidji.
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During last month's Winter Olympics, the U.S. men's curling team defeated Great Britain to secure the bronze medal in curling, the first time the United States won a medal in the Olympic Games for curling. The team was comprised of five Olympians -- two from Bemidji, two from the Chisholm area and one from Cass Lake.
Additionally, the U.S. women's curling team competing in Turin was comprised of two members from Bemidji, as well as one from Duluth.
"Not only did these teams, who were comprised almost exclusively of Minnesotans, have great success at the games -- including the United States' first ever Olympic medal in curling -- they have already helped bring greater attention to the sport of curling," Coleman said. "They can be proud of their accomplishments, and I am equally proud to recognize them in the Senate."
Said Dayton: "I congratulate the Bemidji curling community and the members of the U.S. Olympic curling team for their accomplishments. Their tremendous efforts won the United States' first Olympic medal in curling at Turin. Congratulations, and now it's on to the gold in Vancouver!"
The 2010 Winter Games will be held in Vancouver, Canada.
The Senate resolution notes that the Bemidji Curling Club was first founded in 1935 and has been instrumental in increasing both participation and awareness in the sport for more than 70 years. In addition to the 2006 bronze medal-winning team, teams belonging to the Bemidji Curling Club have combined to win more than 50 state and national titles.
Peterson introduced his measure, House Resolution 712, on Tuesday, which was referred to the House Government Reform Committee.
"The city of Bemidji sent more athletes per capita to the 2006 Winter Olympics than any other town in America. The athletes on both Olympic curling teams call the Bemidji Curling Club their home," Peterson said in remarks for the Congressional Record to accompany his resolution submission.
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He also notes the long history of the Bemidji Curling Club and its awards, and mentions the ongoing U.S. World Team Trials now being hosted by the club.
"For curlers and curling fans Bemidji is the place to be," the 7th District DFLer said.
"Both of the U.S. Olympic curling teams from Bemidji faced tough competition from the very best teams the world has to offer," Peterson said. "With the world watching they demonstrated their skills on one of sport's grandest stages and brought honor and praise to themselves and their communities."
He cites members of the women's team -- Cassie Johnson, Jamie Johnson, Jessica Schultz, Maureen Brunt, Courtney George and Coach Neil Does -- and the men's team -- Pete Fenson, Shawn Rojeski, Joe Polo, John Shuster, Scott Baird and Coach Bob Fenson.
"Both teams exhibited their skill, their mastery of strategic play and the ability to precisely execute when the pressure was on," Peterson said. "This combination of skill and determination helped the men's team to bring home the bronze medal for the United States of America.
"I want to recognize the great achievement of all these fine athletes. The commitment to excellence, sportsmanship and honor that they displayed while representing the United States will long be a source of pride for all Minnesotans, especially those who call Bemidji, Minn., their home," he said.
The Bemidji community itself will honor the two teams on Sunday, with events starting at the Lake Bemidji waterfront and continuing to Bemidji High School and the Bemidji Curling Club.
