[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.

                          ____________________