[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 415 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]







110th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 415

Honoring the life and recognizing the accomplishments of William Karnet 
``Bill'' Willis, pioneer and Hall of Fame football player for both Ohio 
               State University and the Cleveland Browns.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

            December 19 (legislative day, December 18), 2007

  Mr. Brown (for himself, Mr. Voinovich, Mr. Obama, Mr. Cochran, Mrs. 
 Boxer, Ms. Stabenow, Mr. Levin, Mr. Menendez, Mr. Stevens, Mr. Enzi, 
 Mr. Roberts, Mr. Schumer, and Mr. Lautenberg) submitted the following 
             resolution; which was considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Honoring the life and recognizing the accomplishments of William Karnet 
``Bill'' Willis, pioneer and Hall of Fame football player for both Ohio 
               State University and the Cleveland Browns.

Whereas William Karnet Willis (``Bill'') was born on October 5, 1921, in 
        Columbus, Ohio;
Whereas, in 1942, Bill Willis began playing college football for the Ohio State 
        University's Buckeyes and was a member of the 1942 National Championship 
        team;
Whereas Bill Willis earned All-American honors at the Ohio State University in 
        1943 and 1944, becoming the first African-American All-American at the 
        Ohio State University;
Whereas Bill Willis was twice chosen to play in the College All-Star Game, in 
        1944 and in 1945;
Whereas, on August 7, 1946, Bill Willis was the first of a pioneering foursome 
        to sign a contract to play professional football for the Cleveland 
        Browns, forever ending the race barrier in professional football;
Whereas Bill Willis was named 3 times an All-America Football Conference all-
        league player, named 4 times a National Football League all-league 
        player, and was named to the first 3 Pro Bowls;
Whereas, in 1950, Bill Willis was a member of the National Football League 
        champion Cleveland Browns and was named the team's Most Valuable Player;
Whereas, in 1971, Bill Willis was inducted into the National Football 
        Foundation's College Football Hall of Fame;
Whereas, in 1977, Bill Willis was inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame;
Whereas Bill Willis was synonymous with his number 99 jersey in the Ohio State 
        University community, and that number was retired on November 3, 2007;
Whereas Bill Willis dedicated his life to helping others and served his 
        community honorably on the Ohio Youth Commission;
Whereas Bill Willis was a beloved community leader, husband, and father; and
Whereas Ohio has lost a beloved son and a trailblazing pioneer with the passing 
        of Bill Willis on November 27, 2007: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) honors the life and accomplishments of William Karnet 
        ``Bill'' Willis, a dedicated family man, civil servant, and 
        football legend; and
            (2) respectfully requests the Secretary of the Senate to 
        transmit an enrolled copy of this resolution for appropriate 
        display to the family of Bill Willis.
                                 <all>