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REMARKS BY :	DONNA E. SHALALA, SECRETARY HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
PLACE:		National Girls and Women in Sports Day, Washington, D..C.
DATE:		February 9, 2000

Honoring Monica Seles

It's always a pleasure to be with Senator Stevens. He's an excellent athlete--someone I've enjoyed facing on the tennis court many times...And as the "father" of Title IX, Senator Stevens helped level the athletic playing field for women and girls.

On this "National Girls and Women in Sports Day", it's also a pleasure to join so many champion female athletes, including: Nancy Lieberman-Cline--or "Lady Magic" as she was dubbed for her passing prowess...and Donna De Varona who has made such significant contributions to women's sports--and women's lives. All of you are worthy role models...you demonstrate sport's positive influence on women's lives...and you remind us of an old proverb: "Sports do not build character--they reveal it." Well that's certainly true for both the woman we're honoring today--and the woman whose life and legacy is celebrated by the Flo Hyman award. A three-time All-American and Olympic gold medalist, Flo was undoubtedly the most influential women's volleyball player in American history. She constantly pushed herself, her teammates--and everyone she came in contact with--to reach the limits of themselves, and to reach beyond themselves. Her untimely death in 1986--during a professional match in Japan--was a loss not only to women's volleyball, but to the entire sport's world. Today, the Flo Hyman award commemorates the "dignity, spirit and commitment to excellence" that were the hallmarks of her career.

I can think of no one who better personifies these qualities than this year's honoree: Monica Seles. When she was only seventeen, Monica became the youngest Number One ranked woman player in history. She dazzled the tennis world...won 9 Grand Slam titles...and was ranked Number One for an incredible 177 weeks. Her life of trophies and titles seemed scripted for uninterrupted success. But as too often happens-- in a single moment--the script changed forever. As we all know, in 1993, a crazed fan attacked Monica during a tennis match in Hamburg. For two difficult years, she worked to overcome both her injuries, and her fears. But in the end--because of her drive and determination--they proved no match for Monica. She rewrote her own script and, in the process, proved that a true champion isn't measured by just athletic ability...but by the ability to overcome adversity. Today, having endured additional injuries and the recent death of her father, Monica Seles is, once again, defeating opponents and delighting fans--including myself--with her sizzling ground strokes. She's currently ranked Number Six in the world, and she's continuing to add to her tally of over 400 match victories--including 44 singles titles. Somehow, she also finds the time to work for the Boys and Girls Club of Sarasota, Florida; Special Olympics; The Silver Lining; and the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

When I think of Monica...of her professional triumphs and personal tragedies...of her accomplishments on and off the court...I know that--in the words of Emerson--Monica will leave "lasting footprints behind." She will always be a champion...a global role model...and an outstanding example of ''girl power." That's why it's fitting that today--as we honor the achievements of girls and women in sports--Monica joins the pantheon of Navratilova, Evert and King as the fourth tennis player to be honored with the "Women's Sports Foundation's Flo Hyman Award." It now gives me great pleasure to present the year 2000 Flo Hyman award to the talented and tenacious Monica Seles.

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