Latest news with #CongressionalGoldMedal
UPI
6 days ago
- Business
- UPI
Labor officials announce veterans employment training resources
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., presents D-Day veteran retired Army Sgt. John Wardell with a Congressional Gold Medal during a ceremony at the US Capitol in June. Photo by Jemal Countess/UPI | License Photo July 17 (UPI) -- The Department of Labor on Thursday announced a new resource designed to increase employment rates and apprenticeship program participation among millions of disabled veterans. "Currently, more than 5 million American veterans aged 18 or older have service-connected disabilities," a release from the DOL said. "Each year, roughly 200,000 service members - including approximately 22,000 who have some type of disability - transition to the private sector and many remain unemployed after transition." The Veterans Accommodations Toolkit includes tips on job recruitment, hiring, training and retaining disabled veterans. The DOL said the service also benefits employers, apprenticeship sponsors and labor force development specialists. The toolkit was released just prior to National Hire a Veteran Day and the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and supports the Trump administration's goal of developing a million new apprentices in the United States. The employment rate for veterans with disabilities is 45.5% compared to 79.8%, the DOL said.
NBC Sports
10-07-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
LeMond receives Congressional Gold Medal
Greg LeMond, a 3-time Tour de France winner and one of the most decorated U.S. cyclists, received the Congressional Gold Medal during a ceremony on Capitol Hill. After, LeMond called the honor "more than I ever expected.
UPI
09-07-2025
- Sport
- UPI
Greg Lemond is first cyclist to receive Congressional Gold Medal
1 of 5 | American cyclist Greg Lemond receives the Congressional Gold Medal from House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., during a ceremony in Statuary Hall at the U.S. Capitol ion Wednesday. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo July 9 (UPI) -- Legendary cyclist Greg Lemond on Wednesday became the first cyclist and 10th athlete to be awarded the Congressional Gold Medal during a ceremony at the U.S. Capitol. Lemond, 64, joins the likes of Joe Louis, Jesse Owens, Billie Jean King and Jack Nicklaus in being so honored by Congress. Lemond was the first American to win the Tour de France with a victory in 1986 and won two others in 1989 and 1990. He also is the only American to officially win the prestigious, multiday cycling event following disqualifications of Lance Armstrong and Floyd Landis over doping allegations, USA Today reported. A strong and faithful support system "Throughout his life, Greg has put his talent and success to good use, speaking up for children and our military veterans, for fairness in the sport and for the next generation of cyclists, " House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said during Wednesday's award event. "As Greg will tell you, no race gets easier, and no great victory is won all alone," Johnson continued. "Behind every champion stands a strong and faithful support system." Johnson cited Lemond's wife, Kathy, and his extended family as the cyclist's support system and acknowledged their attendance at the Gold Medal ceremony. Rep. Mike Thompson, D-Calif., called Lemond an "American and worldwide cycling legend" who initially was a skier but began cycling as a way to stay in shape during the off season at age 13. "Once he got on two wheels, he had a new passion," Thompson said of Lemond. "After just one year of training, Greg placed second in his first club ride," Thompson said, "He rode in a tank top, jogging shorts and tennis shoes." Lemond "didn't have the right gear or the right bike, but it didn't matter," Thompson added. "His rocket-ship rise to success had begun." Honoring people, places and moments Lemond and his family joined Johnson and other lawmakers on the stage for the medal presentation. "The honor is more than I ever expected, and I accept it with deep gratitude and a profound sense of humility," Lemond said of the Congressional Gold Medal. "Today isn't just about reflecting on my own journey," Lemond told the audience. "It's also about honoring the people, places and moments that shaped it." He thanked his parents and family for their support and all of the teammates who helped make him a champion. "Cycling was an unusual sport for a 14-year-old kid in 1976," Lemond said. "I didn't even know the sport existed until one day a bicycle race passed my home." Lemond said he became "passionately obsessed with racing" after winning his first cycling event and "believed that, as an America, if I worked hard enough, anything was possible." His dream was to become the world's best cyclist, so he moved to Europe at age 19 to make it happen. Just a blonde-haired, blue-eyed kid "I brought an American attitude to the sport of cycling," Lemond said. "I was open to new ideas and bringing innovation and technology to a very traditional sport. That was a huge competitive advantage." He said Europeans taught him a lot and embraced him as "le American." "I was just a blonde-haired, blue-eyed kid from America, and for some reason, that resonated with people," Lemond said. "I think Europeans saw in me what the U.S. has meant to Europe at critical times -- as an ally, a liberator and a friend." He recalled a recent encounter in a village of about 80 people in the French Alps, where he said an old man approached him and announced he was the one who invented the carbon fiber disc wheels that Lemond was the first to use and that helped him to win the 1986 Tour de France. Lemond told the man he wished he still had those wheels. The man told him they were in his mother's garage and asked if he would like to have them. "They were the first carbon fiber wheels to win the Tour de France," Lemond said. A legacy of sacrifice and courage Lemond, his wife, Kathy, and the man walked to the 104-year-old woman's home, where the old woman hugged him, invited them into her home. She had an old U.S. flag and lots of American-related memorabilia in her home and told Lemond and Kathy that she witnessed the Nazis occupy France in 1940. Her brothers fled into the mountains to join the resistance, and she rode her bicycle through the countryside to deliver food and information, Lemond told the audience. "Sadly, one of her brothers was killed in the fighting, and then the Americans came," he said. The woman told him Americans saved her father, her family and her country. "She cried as she told us, and so did we," Lemond said. "That moment has stayed with me. "It reminded me that being an American, especially abroad, carries a legacy of sacrifice, of courage and showing up when it matters most," he said. "So I am honored beyond words to receive this Congressional Gold Medal." Lemond said the honor isn't his alone and belongs to every teammate, supporter, family member and to "all the extraordinary Americans whose courage and sacrifice made my life possible." Greatest U.S. cyclist who raced clean The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest award that a civilian can receive from Congress, which Congress initially awarded to Lemond in 2020. The Covid-19 pandemic delayed Lemond's receipt of the Gold Medal until Wednesday. Lemond was born in northern California and grew up in Reno, Nev., where he was graduated from Wooster High School in 1979 and soon after pursued his cycling dreams in Europe. He is considered the greatest U.S. cyclist who did not resort to performance-enhancing drugs to become a champion. Lemond's final two wins came he was nearly killed when accidentally shot during a turkey hunt on his family's ranch in northern California in 1987. His 8-second margin of victory during the 1989 race is the closest in the history of the Tour de France, which covers more than 2,000 miles in the French Alps over 21 stages each summer. It is one of the world's most popular sporting events and its oldest and most prestigious cycling race.
San Francisco Chronicle
09-07-2025
- Politics
- San Francisco Chronicle
Cyclist Greg LeMond receives Congressional Gold Medal at Capitol ceremony
WASHINGTON (AP) — Greg LeMond, who is one of the most decorated cyclists in American history as a three-time Tour de France winner, was honored Wednesday with the Congressional Gold Medal. LeMond, 64, received the medal during a ceremony at the Capitol with his wife, Kathy, and children in attendance. It was announced he'd receive the medal in 2020, but the pandemic delayed his ceremony. 'It is the highest honor that we can bestow in this institution," Republican U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson said. 'It honors citizens whose contributions have shaped our country, enriched our history and lifted the spirits of the American people. And much like the American Dream itself, this honor is not reserved for any one person and profession, it can be earned and won by anyone who's deserving.' LeMond, a two-time World Road Race champion, was shot on a hunting trip in 1987 at the peak of his career, shortly after becoming the first American man to win the Tour de France. He recovered to win two more Tours: by the race's narrowest margin (eight seconds) in 1989 and again in 1990. 'The honor is more than I ever expected, and I accept it with deep gratitude and also with a profound sense of humility,' LeMond said. 'Today isn't just about reflecting on my own journey. It's about honoring the people, places and the moments that shaped it.' Johnson presented the medal alongside Democratic Rep. Mike Thompson of California and former Republican Rep. Tom Graves of Georgia. LeMond reflected on his time in Europe, where he was proudly referred to as 'The American.' 'I am honored beyond words to receive this Congressional Gold Medal," he said. 'I stand here knowing this honor isn't mine alone. It belongs to every teammate, every supporter, every family member and to all of the extraordinary Americans whose courage and sacrifice made my life and career possible. I am proud to be an American, and I thank you, all of you, from the bottom of my heart.' ___
Hamilton Spectator
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
Cyclist Greg LeMond receives Congressional Gold Medal at Capitol ceremony
WASHINGTON (AP) — Greg LeMond, who is one of the most decorated cyclists in American history as a three-time Tour de France winner, was honored Wednesday with the Congressional Gold Medal. LeMond, 64, received the medal during a ceremony at the Capitol with his wife, Kathy, and children in attendance. It was announced he'd receive the medal in 2020, but the pandemic delayed his ceremony. 'It is the highest honor that we can bestow in this institution,' Republican U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson said. 'It honors citizens whose contributions have shaped our country, enriched our history and lifted the spirits of the American people. And much like the American Dream itself, this honor is not reserved for any one person and profession, it can be earned and won by anyone who's deserving.' LeMond, a two-time World Road Race champion, was shot on a hunting trip in 1987 at the peak of his career, shortly after becoming the first American man to win the Tour de France. He recovered to win two more Tours: by the race's narrowest margin (eight seconds) in 1989 and again in 1990. 'The honor is more than I ever expected, and I accept it with deep gratitude and also with a profound sense of humility,' LeMond said. 'Today isn't just about reflecting on my own journey. It's about honoring the people, places and the moments that shaped it.' Johnson presented the medal alongside Democratic Rep. Mike Thompson of California and former Republican Rep. Tom Graves of Georgia. LeMond reflected on his time in Europe, where he was proudly referred to as 'The American.' 'I am honored beyond words to receive this Congressional Gold Medal,' he said. 'I stand here knowing this honor isn't mine alone. It belongs to every teammate, every supporter, every family member and to all of the extraordinary Americans whose courage and sacrifice made my life and career possible. I am proud to be an American, and I thank you, all of you, from the bottom of my heart.' ___ AP sports: Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
