Schakowsky Applauds Decision to Make Chicago the American Host City for the 2016 Olympics

SCHAKOWSKY APPLAUDS DECISION TO MAKE CHICAGO THE AMERICAN HOST CITY FOR THE 2016 OLYMPICS

CHICAGO, IL–U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) released the following statement to celebrate today's decision by the U.S. Olympic Committee to make Chicago their candidate city for the 2016 Olympics. The final host city for the 2016 Olympic Games will be selected by the International Olympic Committee in October 2009.

"I am absolutely thrilled that the United States Olympic Committee has selected Chicago to become the candidate city for the 2016 Olympics. I can not think of a better city to represent the United States in its bid to win the 2016 Olympics Games.

Chicago is a great American city that is rich in diversity, culture, tradition and history. The City is home to nearly 3 million residents that represent hundreds of different nationalities and ethnicities…a truly international city. Chicago's vibrant communities, sound infrastructure and extensive transportation network make it the perfect fit for the 2016 Olympics.

The Olympic Games are a great opportunity for the world to come together and put aside their differences to celebrate the achievements of athletes. The Olympics have been able to transcend cultural, religious and political boundaries by making all of us realize that there is more that unites us than divides us, which could also be said for the City of Chicago. The Games have also played a significant role in creating social and political change in the United States and across the globe.

I would also like to congratulate Mayor Daley and Governor Blagojevich for securing this victory on behalf of the City of Chicago and I wish them continued success in their efforts to win this bid in front of the International Olympic Committee in 2009. I am confident that the rest of the world will realize what we already know-that Chicago is the ideal city to host the 2016 Olympic Games....