[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 56 (Tuesday, May 10, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[Congressional Record: May 10, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
RESOLUTION CALLING FOR A COMMEMORATIVE POSTAGE STAMP HONORING COACH
PAUL ``BEAR'' BRYANT
Mr. HEFLIN. Mr. President, I am today introducing a sense-of-the-
Senate resolution which calls upon the Citizens Stamp Advisory
Committee to recommend to the Postmaster General, Marvin Runyon, that a
postage stamp be issued honoring the late college football coach, Paul
``Bear'' Bryant. The committee met last month to consider Bryant's
nomination for depiction on a first class stamp. Senator Shelby and I
were joined recently by Senators Ford, Bumpers, and Phil Gramm, in
sending a letter of support for a Bear Bryant stamp to the advisory
committee.
Although Bryant is widely remembered for his legendary coaching
career at the University of Alabama, he also coached at the University
of Kentucky, Senator Ford's alma mater, and Texas A&M University, where
Senator Gramm taught economics.
Senator Bumpers had the luxury of claiming Bryant as a native son of
his State since the great coach was born in Moro Bottom and raised in
Fordyce, AR.
I ask unanimous consent that a copy of this letter, dated March 29,
1994, to the Citizens Stamp Advisory Committee, as well as a resolution
to that effect, passed by the Alabama House of Representatives, be
printed in the Congressional Record immediately following my remarks.
The PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so ordered.
(See exhibit 1.)
Mr. HEFLIN. Mr. President, I thank each of my colleagues for joining
me, particularly my cosponsors, Senators Shelby, Ford, Bumpers, Gramm,
Pryor, and Stevens, in this effort to so honor Coach Bryant.
This resolution I am submitting today puts the Senate on record as
supporting this much-deserved tribute to one of the greatest sports
heroes of our time. Although Coach Bryant passed away 11 years ago, he
remains the winningest coach in major college football history, with
323 victories, 6 national championships, and the most postseason bowl
appearances of any coach.
One joke I have heard for years is that in Alabama an atheist is
someone who does not believe in Bear Bryant. One can still find large-
sized picture postcards sold at newsstands showing him walking on
airbrushed water above the caption ``I believe.'' George Blanda, the
great quarterback and placekicker once remarked that upon seeing
Bryant's face for the first time--granite and ice, and true grit--he
thought, ``This must be what God looks like.'' Blanda said that when
Bryant walked into a room, you wanted to stand up and applaud.
As the news of his unexpected death spread quickly on that cold but
sunny afternoon on January 26, 1983, just 1 month after he coached his
last football game as Alabama's football coach, flags were lowered to
halfstaff in Alabama and headlights were instinctively switched on in
virtually every car on the road to honor the man who had brought so
much glory to his alma mater and to his adopted State.
All of this captures the Bryant mystique and legend, but it leaves
out the essential character of the coach. Basic humanness was his most
endearing--and enduring--asset. He was, first and foremost, a molder of
men who instilled in them character, a healthy appetite for fair
competition, and an allegiance to principle. He led by example and
never shied away from his own principles. He once disciplined
quarterback Joe Namath before a very important game for violating
curfew. He called Namath the greatest athlete he had ever seen. He
always put the interests, goals, and well-being of his teams above any
individual player, whether they were standouts or not.
I have here an example of a possible postage stamp with me on the
floor. This rendition, which is not necessarily one that I recommend,
was taken from a photograph, and the service department of the Senate
prepared it. There may be many different artistic renditions that could
be drawn that would be more appropriate. So, we leave it, of course, to
the advisory committee and the Postal Department as to what they might
select as to the artistic rendition that would appear on this stamp.
But his depiction on a stamp would more than satisfy the basic criteria
for selecting commemorative stamps. He contributed significantly to
America and its history through his leadership in the sports arena; his
career has widespread national appeal and significance; he has now been
deceased for more than 10 years; his nomination was first submitted
over 3 years ago; and there is considerable interest in a Bear Bryant
stamp, as indicated by the many letters and petitions sent to the
advisory committee. Additionally, commemorative stamps like the one
honoring Elvis Presley are an excellent way for the Postal Service to
generate revenue.
I am proud to submit this resolution urging the Postal Service to
honor Coach Bear Bryant with a stamp and urge my colleagues to join me
in supporting its immediate adoption.
Exhibit 1
U.S. Senate,
Washington, DC, March 29, 1994.
Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee,
U.S. Postal Service,
Washington, DC.
Dear Committee Members: It is our understanding that in
April, you will be meeting to consider the nomination of
college football coach Paul William ``Bear'' Bryant for a
commemorative United States postage stamp. As Members of the
Senate, we are writing to strongly support the selection of
Coach Bryant for depiction on a first-class postage stamp.
Eleven years after his death, Bryant remains the winningest
coach in major college football history. His accomplishments
made him a hero not only to the University of Alabama
community which he served for 25 years, but to the entire
state and to college football fans across the nation.
Born in Moro Bottom, Arkansas, Bear Bryant went on to
attend the University of Alabama, where he was a star
football player. He began his coaching career at the
University of Maryland in 1945, and coached at the University
of Kentucky and Texas A & M University before returning to
his alma mater in 1958. His historic tenure at Alabama ended
in 1982, just one month before his untimely death.
Bear Bryant's teams won six national collegiate football
championships, and he led his squads to more post-season bowl
appearances and wins than any other coach in history. Many
coaches today, both collegiate and professional, were
profoundly influenced by his sound leadership as his
assistant coaches, players, or colleagues. Even his opponents
had an uncommon respect and affection for him. His legacy
continues to inspire athletes and coaches everywhere.
The only previously issued football-related stamps honor
football in general, and player Jim Thorpe and Notre Dame
coach Knute Rockne. Coach Bryant, who moved from a poverty-
stricken childhood in rural Arkansas to the top of his
athletic profession and stayed there for over two decades,
would fit well into that distinguished company.
It is no surprise that there is a growing movement to
commemorate Bear Bryant's life and career with a U.S. postage
stamp. This has become one of the most endearing ways to
honor public figures who have contributed so much to the
fabric of our culture. We therefore request that you
favorably consider the nomination of this great man for such
a stamp.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Howell Heflin.
Wendell Ford.
Phil Gramm.
Richard C. Shelby.
Dale Bumpers.
____
[State of Alabama, House of Representatives, Resolution, HJR6]
Calling on the United States Postal Service To Issue a Commemorative
Postage Stamp in Honor of Former University of Alabama Football Coach
Paul ``Bear'' Bryant
Whereas, former University of Alabama football coach Paul
``Bear'' Bryant is the winningest coach in Division 1 college
football history; and
Whereas, coach Bryant led his teams to six national
championships; and
Whereas, Coach Bryant holds the record for most post season
bowl appearances, most bowl wins and a number of other
accomplishments unequaled before or since his coaching career
ended in 1982; and
Whereas, Bear Bryant represents to all Americans a positive
can-do spirit of achievement, as exemplified by his life of
accomplishments on and off the field; and
Whereas, Bear Bryant was a great American who personified
the winning spirit and, as articulated by former President
Reagan, ``He lived what we strive to be.''; and
Whereas, many sports heroes have been honored by the Postal
Service by way of a commemorative stamp; and
Whereas, the Postal Service's ten-year waiting period for
such an honor has expired since Coach Bryant passed away on
January 18, 1983; now therefore
Be it resolved by the Legislature of Alabama, both houses
thereof concurring, That the Postmaster General commission a
stamp to be issued in honor of Coach Paul ``Bear'' Bryant as
soon as practicable, and that the process to start or move
forward consideration of such a stamp be begun this March,
1994, when the Citizen's Advisory Committee of the Postal
Service next meets.
Be it further resolved, That the art and image that would
appear on such stamp have input by the University of Alabama.
Mr. HEFLIN. Mr. President, I send to the floor the resolution and I
ask for the immediate consideration and adoption of the resolution.
The PRESIDENT pro tempore. Does the Chair understand that the Senator
is asking for immediate consideration?
Mr. HEFLIN. Yes. I so ask unanimous consent. I cleared it with all
parties.
The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will report the resolution.
The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:
A resolution (S. Res. 212) expressing the sense of the
Senate that a commemorative postage stamp should be issued to
honor coach Paul ``Bear'' Bryant.
The PRESIDENT pro tempore. Is there objection to the present
consideration of the resolution?
There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the
resolution.
The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The question is on agreeing to the
resolution.
Without objection, the resolution is agreed to.
Without objection the preamble is agreed to.
So the resolution (S. Res. 212), with its preamble, was agreed to as
follows:
Whereas eleven years after his death, Paul ``Bear'' Bryant
retains the record of being the most successful coach in
Division 1-A college football history;
Whereas Paul ``Bear'' Bryant's accomplishments were a
source of great pride to the University of Alabama and the
Nation;
Whereas Paul ``Bear'' Bryant's example has profoundly
influenced many professional and collegiate coaches and
players; and
Whereas Paul ``Bear'' Bryant is a modern hero and legend in
the South: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That it is the sense of the Senate that the
Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee of the United States
Postal Service should recommend to the Postmaster General
that a postage stamp be issued honoring coach Paul ``Bear''
Bryant.
____________________