U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar has highlighted Minnesota athletes competing in the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia. Klobuchar said that there are 30 members of Team USA that have ties to communities across Minnesota, and that Minnesota boasts the second-highest number of hometown athletes in the country. Klobuchar is co-chair of the Congressional Olympic and Paralympic Caucus and introduced a Senate resolution supporting Team USA in the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. The bipartisan resolution was sponsored by Caucus co-chairs Senators Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Michael Bennet (D-CO), and Johnny Isakson (R-GA).

“Minnesota has a long tradition of excelling at winter sports – we have a lot of time to practice! – so it’s no surprise our state is so well represented in this year’s Games,” Klobuchar said. “I am extremely proud of these Minnesota athletes and all the members of Team USA who will represent our country and deserve our support throughout the Winter Games.”

The 30 members of Team USA with ties to Minnesota include:

• Leif Nordgren, Biathlon. Hometown: Marine on St. Croix, MN

• Jeff Isaacson, Curling. Hometown: Lakeland, MN. Born and resides in Virginia, MN.

• John Landsteiner, Curling. Born: Mankato, MN. Hometown: Mapleton. Resides in Duluth, MN

• Allison Pottinger, Curling. Resides in Eden Prairie, MN

• Jessica Schultz, Curling. Resides in Minneapolis, MN

• John Shuster, Curling. Born: Chisholm, MN. Resides in Duluth, MN

• Jared Zezel, Curling. Born and resides in Hibbing, MN

• David Backes, Ice Hockey. Hometown: Minneapolis, MN. Played for Minnesota State University Mankato.

• Megan Bozek, Ice Hockey. Played for the University of Minnesota

• Justin Faulk, Ice Hockey. Hometown: South St. Paul, MN. Played for the University of Minnesota Duluth.

• Amanda Kessel, Ice Hockey. Plays for the University of Minnesota

• Phil Kessel, Ice Hockey. Played for the University of Minnesota

• Paul Martin, Ice Hockey. Born: Minneapolis, MN. Hometown: Elk River, MN. Played for the University of Minnesota

• Gigi Marvin, Ice Hockey. Born: Bemidji, MN. Resides in Warroad, MN. Played for the University of Minnesota

• Ryan McDonagh, Ice Hockey. Hometown: St. Paul, MN

• T.J. Oshie, Ice Hockey. Hometown: Warroad, MN

• Zach Parise, Ice Hockey. Born: Minneapolis, MN. Resides in St. Paul, MN

• Anne Schleper, Ice Hockey. Born and resides in St. Cloud, MN. Played for the University of Minnesota

• Lee Stecklein, Ice Hockey. Born: St. Paul, MN. Hometown: Roseville, MN. Plays for the University of Minnesota

• Derek Stepan, Ice Hockey. Hometown: Hastings, MN

• Ryan Suter, Ice Hockey. Resides in St. Paul, MN

• Blake Wheeler, Ice Hockey. Hometown: Robbinsdale, MN. Played for the University of Minnesota

• Christian Niccum, Luge. Born: St. Paul, MN

• David Chodounsky, Skiing – Apline. Born: St. Paul, MN

• Jessie Diggins, Skiing – Cross Country. Born: Minneapolis, MN. Resides in Afton, MN

• Brian Gregg, Skiing – Cross Country. Resides in Minneapolis, MN

• Torin Koos, Skiing – Cross Country. Born: Minneapolis, MN

• Keri Herman, Skiing – Freestyle. Born: Minneapolis, MN

• Maria Lamb, Speedskating – Long Track. Born: St. Paul, MN

• Anna Ringsred, Speedskating – Long Track. Hometown: Duluth, MN