[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 183 (Friday, November 17, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2212]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO COACH EDDIE G. ROBINSON

                                 ______


                       HON. WILLIAM J. JEFFERSON

                              of louisiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, November 17, 1995

  Mr. JEFFERSON. Mr. Speaker, we have honored many legends on this 
floor--men and women who are revered and who will be so revered for 
generations. I come to this historic floor today to add still another 
name to this long list of distinguished Americans who we can truly call 
a legend of out time--one whose singular contributions will separate 
him from everyone else who has toiled in his profession.
  Our Nation has produced many, many great football coaches. Men like 
Paul ``Bear'' Bryant, Woody Hayes, Ara Parseghian, Joe Paterno, Knute 
Rockne, Amos Alonzo Stagg, Bud Wilkerson, to name a few But, today I 
rise to pay tribute to the historical accomplishments of Coach Eddie G. 
Robinson of Grambling State University--the winningest football coach 
of all time, the best that the game of football has to offer.
  During a period spanning 55 years, Coach Robinson has led his 
Grambling State teams to more than 400 victories. No other coach has 
reached the 400 win milestone. Along the way, he has won 17 SWAC 
championships or cochampionships. Coach Robinson started modestly at 
Grambling. Nevertheless, he grew to a giant in his profession. Yes, he 
has become the greatest coach of all time, but his first priority 
always was the development of his players. Coach Robinson nurtured his 
athletes into competent, strong, professional players, not only in game 
of football but in game of life. He has touched our hearts, our very 
souls. His achievements will stand forever.
  We are left to wonder what Grambling State University would have been 
like had Eddie Robinson not walked through the doors of the then 
Louisiana Negro Normal and Industrial Institute in 1941. Would there 
have been the mentoring, that steady hand guiding countless young 
athletes to exalted levels of achievement? Would such players as Paul 
``Tank'' Younger, Willie Brown, Willie Davis, Buck Buchanan, Doug 
Williams, Charlie Joiner, Frank Lewis, Essex Johnson, Billy Newsome, 
John Mendenhall and over 200 other players have been able to leave 
their mark on the National Football League? No. A Grambling State 
University, indeed the American way of life, without the contributions 
of Coach Robinson is not imaginable.
  Coach Robinson, served as a coach, father and tutor to thousands of 
students at Grambling who have gone on to make great contributions to 
this Nation. Through his tenacity and guidance, he influenced countless 
young men and women who crossed his path. For this and for all that 
Coach Robinson through his success has meant to our country, we in the 
Congress offer our most heartfelt congratulations to him. All Americans 
are extremely fortunate to have had the opportunity to experience the 
influence of this great man. Coach Eddie Robinson is a winner, and 
because he is, so are we all.
  The Congress salutes Coach Robinson today not only for winning more 
football games than any other college coach, but for who he is.

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