[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 35 (Thursday, March 24, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: March 24, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
           COMMENDING PAT SMITH AND OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY

  Mr. NICKLES. Mr. President, lasting traditions are built around great 
people who are dedicated and committed to succeed. Such a tradition 
exists at Oklahoma State University in collegiate wrestling. It began 
with the vision of coach Ed Gallagher in 1916, followed by his 
wrestlers claiming the title at the first NCAA tournament in 1928, and 
continues today with Pat Smith, the four-time national champion of the 
1994 national champion Oklahoma State Cowboys.
  Pat's unequalled fourth NCAA championship fueled Oklahoma State, my 
alma mater, to its 30th national wrestling title, which is far more 
than any other school.
  Pat's distinguished national milestone follows a long list of local, 
regional, and national achievements. Since losing a match his freshman 
year, Pat has won each of the 98 times he has taken the mat. In 1990, 
he became one of only three true freshmen to win NCAA titles. The 
following year, he claimed first place trophies at the St. Louis Open, 
the Oklahoma Open, and the Las Vegas Invitational. That same year, Pat 
also took the gold at the U.S. Olympic Festival in Los Angeles.
  In 1992, his streak of NCAA and Big Eight victories continued while 
taking the titles at the Midlands Tournament and the Fort Hays Open, 
where he was awarded Outstanding Wrestler honors. This past season, Pat 
was named Outstanding Wrestler at the St. Louis Open and repeated as a 
gold medalist at the U.S. Olympic Festival in San Antonio. This year, 
in route to a 30-1 record, his only loss being a medical forfeit due to 
a sprained ankle, Pat became the fifth Big Eight wrestler to win four 
conference titles.
  Pat's legacy, brothers Lee Roy and John, have helped fill the trophy 
case at Oklahoma State University. Each have won NCAA championships at 
OSU. John, who just won his first title as the head coach of OSU, won 
two individual championships, in 1987 and 1988, before going on to win 
four world titles and two Olympic golds. Lee Roy, who now coaches at 
Arizona State University, won in 1980. Pat's first NCAA championship 
gave the Smith brothers a record as the only three brothers to win NCAA 
titles. Pat's younger brother, Mark, a senior at Del City High, is 
regarded as the Nation's top high school wrestler.
  The parents of these outstanding athletes are Lee Roy, a retired 
processor at the Oklahoma Highway Department, and Madalene Smith. In 
addition to raising their four sons, the Smiths also have six 
daughters. The State of Oklahoma shares in the pride the Smiths have in 
their children.
  I know my colleagues join me in congratulating Pat and Oklahoma State 
University on their outstanding achievements. Together they continue to 
advance the winning tradition which is so deeply imbedded in the spirit 
of Oklahoma.

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