Press Release

Rosemarie Rossetti, Ph.D. addressed members of the American Farm Bureau Federation national convention in Reno on January 6, 2002 in her new motivational speech, "Just Like Riding a Bike." The speech was enhanced with visuals that documented Rossetti's life prior to and following her paralyzing injury. On June 13, 1998 she was crushed by a 3 ? ton tree while riding her bicycle.

Rossetti said, "The audience was very responsive to my program and were absorbed in my story. You could hear a pin drop."

Said one member of the audience, "The presentation did not create a new direction, but it was like adding a solid rocket booster."

Later that evening, Rossetti served as the grand marshall for the AFBF opening ceremony. She led a procession of the 50 state farm bureau presidents, each carrying their respective state flag. Rossetti carried the 2002 Winter Olympic torch. The 2,500 AFBF members rose to their feet as the Olympic theme music blared throughout the convention center.

Rossetti addressed the crowd, sharing her experience of carrying the Olympic torch in Columbus, Ohio on January 2, 2002. Rossetti said, "This symbol of peace and hope for the future has even more meaning today for Americans. It nurtures friendship and bonds strangers." The Olympic theme "Light the Fire Within" is engraved on the torch. Rossetti used the analogy of the human spirit and challenged the audience to find and rekindle their own flames.