Kuster Convenes Congressional Ski, Snowboard Caucus

WASHINGTON, NH - U.S. Rep. Ann McLane Kuster, D-NH, co-chairwoman of the Congressional Ski and Snowboard Caucus, convened fellow caucus members for a conversation with two current and former members of the U.S. Olympic Ski Team, Hannah Kearney and Tiger Shaw, according to a press statement.

“I am so proud to welcome these extraordinary Olympians to Capitol Hill to discuss the many benefits of skiing and snowboarding, including the important role these sports play in our economy,” said Kuster, a lifelong skier and former collegiate ski racer. “Their hard work and dedication to their sport is truly inspiring. I look forward to continuing to support our athletes in the future, and to encouraging future generations to become involved in winter sports.”

Kearney, who currently lives in New Hampshire, won a gold medal in freestyle mogul skiing at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, as well as a bronze medal at the 2014 Olympic Games in Sochi. Currently the CEO of the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association, Shaw, who also lives in New England, competed in the 1984 and 1988 Winter Olympics. The two shared stories with the audience about their road to the Olympics, including some of the challenges they faced along the way, and they discussed the future of the skiing and snowboarding industries in the United States. Kearney and Shaw also outlined some potential ways Members of Congress can be supportive of athletes competing at all levels.

Kuster, Kearney, and Shaw were joined at today’s event by Congressman Scott Tipton (CO-03), Congressman Jim Himes (CT-04), and Congressman Peter Welch (VT).

Earlier this year, Kuster, along with Congressman Tipton, relaunched the Congressional Ski and Snowboard Caucus as a bipartisan forum to advance the priorities of skiers, snowboarders, and industry professionals across America. The members of the Caucus represent a diverse range of districts throughout the country, from New Hampshire to Colorado and everywhere in between, and all are dedicated to representing the voice of the outdoor winter recreation community throughout the United States. In the coming months as the next ski season approaches, the Caucus will be leading Congressional efforts to raise awareness about important issues affecting the skiing and snowboarding community, including economic development, health advocacy, and protecting the natural beauty of our country’s mountain regions.

Submitted by Rosie Hilmer.