Discussion · House of Representatives
Ben Cline Republican
“I want to honor Frank Shakespeare from my district. He is 96 years old, served in the Navy, and taught public school. He is also the oldest living American Olympic champion after winning a gold medal in rowing in 1952.”
“Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize an extraordinary individual, Mr. Frank Shakespeare, a U.S. Olympic gold medalist, United States Navy veteran, and retired public school teacher living in Virginia’s Sixth Congressional District. For almost 70 years, he was united in marriage to the love of his life, Shirley. This May, he celebrated his 96th birthday and is the oldest living U.S. Olympic champion. As a member of the U.S. Naval Academy’s rowing team, he and his teammates represented the United States at the 1952 Helsinki Olympics. They defeated the Soviet Union to win gold and were later dubbed by Life Magazine as ``The Great Eight.’’ After 11 years of faithful service in the Navy, he went on to enjoy a long career teaching math to students in Baltimore, Maryland. To this day, he continues to share his life’s lessons with young people. If you meet Frank, he will hand you his business card that reads: ``Be a Winner.’’ Through failures, challenges, and learning to embrace the talents and opportunities that God grants, Frank wants everyone to know that when you live by this motto, Be a Winner, all things are possible. Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing Mr. Frank Shakespeare, a proud American yet humble Christian whose incredible achievements and message are something we can all learn from.”
Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize an extraordinary individual, Mr. Frank Shakespeare, a U.S. Olympic gold medalist, United States Navy veteran, and retired public school teacher living in Virginia’s Sixth Congressional District. For almost 70 years, he was united in marriage to the love of his life, Shirley. This May, he celebrated his 96th birthday and is the oldest living U.S. Olympic champion. As a member of the U.S. Naval Academy’s rowing team, he and his teammates represented the United States at the 1952 Helsinki Olympics. They defeated the Soviet Union to win gold and were later dubbed by Life Magazine as ``The Great Eight.’’ After 11 years of faithful service in the Navy, he went on to enjoy a long career teaching math to students in Baltimore, Maryland. To this day, he continues to share his life’s lessons with young people. If you meet Frank, he will hand you his business card that reads: ``Be a Winner.’’ Through failures, challenges, and learning to embrace the talents and opportunities that God grants, Frank wants everyone to know that when you live by this motto, Be a Winner, all things are possible. Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing Mr. Frank Shakespeare, a proud American yet humble Christian whose incredible achievements and message are something we can all learn from.