[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 138 (Thursday, September 7, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1724-E1725]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                        TRIBUTE TO SAM MUCHNICK

                                 ______


                         HON. JERRY F. COSTELLO

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, September 6, 1995
  Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Sam 
Muchnick, a name familiar to many of my colleagues who represent 
constituents near the St. Louis metropolitan area. Thousands of the 
people I represent have loved Sam Muchnick for many years as a 
neighbor, friend and community spirit whose roots in the Metro East are 
strong.
  Sam Muchnick has been one of the greatest sports promoters in all 
America. For over 50 years, he served as the Nation's premier wrestling 
promoter until his retirement from the sport in 1982. Known as Mr. 
Wrestling, Sam has been a good friend to me and was a very close friend 
to my predecessor, Congressman Melvin Price.
  Sam got his start in the sports business as a writer following 
Cardinals baseball for the St. 

[[Page E 1725]]
Louis Times. He got into the wrestling business as an assistant to 
promoter Tom Packs and found his niche.
  He served for more than 25 years as president of the National 
Wrestling Alliance, which consisted of promoters from coast to coast. 
During his career as Mr. Wrestling, Sam Muchnick spent many days 
relating his sporting stories to me and other young people growing up 
in the Metro East. He still stops by and talks to Jack English, George 
Silvey, Bob Burns, Eddie Moran, Bob Bregg and other friends in the 
sports business during a visit to English's Tavern in Belleville.
  Today, I bring to the attention of my colleagues the long and popular 
career of ``Mr. Wrestling.'' I know they join me in congratulating Sam 
Muchnick for the years of enjoyment he has provided to wrestling and 
entertainment fans in the United States.


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