[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 143 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

110th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 143

                   Honoring Coach Eddie G. Robinson.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             April 10, 2007

   Ms. Landrieu (for herself and Mr. Vitter) submitted the following 
             resolution; which was considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
                   Honoring Coach Eddie G. Robinson.

Whereas Eddie G. Robinson, the former coach of the Grambling State University 
        Tigers, was born on February 13, 1919, in Jackson, Louisiana;
Whereas after graduating from high school, Eddie G. Robinson attended Leland 
        College in Baker, Louisiana, where he played quarterback on the 
        college's football team and graduated with a baccalaureate of arts 
        degree;
Whereas in 1941, Eddie G. Robinson accepted a football coaching position at 
        Grambling State University, which, at the time, was known as the 
        Louisiana Negro Normal and Industrial Institute;
Whereas during his 57-year tenure as the Grambling State University football 
        coach, Eddie G. Robinson established himself as a legend in the world of 
        sports and a Louisiana hero;
Whereas Eddie G. Robinson broke through the glass ceiling that had always 
        undermined the true potential of African-American players and coaches;
Whereas Eddie G. Robinson won 408 games, which was more games won than any coach 
        before him;
Whereas Eddie G. Robinson won 17 championships in the Southwestern Athletic 
        Conference;
Whereas Eddie G. Robinson held the championship title 9 times for Historically 
        Black Colleges and Universities;
Whereas Eddie G. Robinson sent more than 200 players into the National Football 
        League (NFL), including Paul ``Tank'' Younger, who was the first NFL 
        player from a predominantly African-American college and, from then on, 
        Coach Robinson was personally responsible for paving the way for all 
        African-American players to have opportunities in the NFL and others to 
        play at majority White schools;
Whereas Eddie G. Robinson's achievements are not limited to his athletic 
        victories;
Whereas Eddie G. Robinson taught his players the meaning of teamwork and 
        patriotism, providing them lessons that extended far beyond the football 
        field;
Whereas his contributions have also provided for one of the most exciting match-
        ups in college sports--the Bayou Classic football game, which Eddie G. 
        Robinson and his sports information director, the late Collie J. 
        Nicholson, created; and
Whereas Eddie G. Robinson was able to serve Grambling State University with such 
        great distinction in large part because of the continuing support of his 
        wife Doris, his two children, Eddie Jr. and Lillian Rose Watkins, his 
        grandchildren, and his great-grandchildren: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) notes with deep sorrow and solemn mourning the death of 
        Coach Eddie G. Robinson, a Louisiana hero and a great American;
            (2) extends its heartfelt sympathy to Mrs. Doris Robinson 
        and the family of Eddie G. Robinson; and
            (3) honors and, on behalf of the Nation, expresses deep 
        appreciation for Coach Eddie G. Robinson's outstanding service 
        to Grambling State University, to Louisiana, and to his 
        country.
                                 <all>