[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 52 (Monday, April 22, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3749-S3750]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               TRIBUTE TO BROOK BERRINGER AND TOBEY LAKE

  Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, today is a very sad day in the northwest 
Kansas community of Goodland. For today is the day when much of the 
community will gather to say their final farewells to one of Goodland's 
favorite sons.
  Much of America came to know Brook Berringer for his leadership on 
the football field, and for the role he played in helping to 
quarterback the Nebraska Cornhuskers to back-to-back national 
championships in 1994 and 1995.
  More important than being a champion on the field, however, is being 
a champion off the field.
  And in the days that have followed the tragic death of Brook and his 
friend and former Goodland resident Tobey Lake, countless Kansans and 
Nebraskans have testified to the fact that Brook was a champion in all 
aspects of his life.
  ``Unassuming,'' ``modest,'' ``role model,'' ``a great kid''; these 
are some of the words that Brook's family, friends, teachers, and 
coaches have used to describe him. Brook used his status as a football 
hero to make a difference in the lives of others.
  He was active in church and charitable activities, and was a 
dedicated member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
  He returned to Goodland often during his college years to visit with 
family and friends, and to provide an inspiration to young people.
  Brook's tragic death occurred just 2 days before the National 
Football League draft, in which he surely would have been selected. In 
a gesture typical of this outstanding young man, Brook had said that he 
hoped he would be selected by Kansas City or Denver, so he could remain 
close to home.
  Mr. President, as I think about Brook Berringer, I am reminded of the 
famous poem by A.E. Housman entitled ``To an Athlete Dying Young.''
  The last four lines of that poem read:

     Now you will not swell the rout
     Of lads that wore their honors out
     Runners whom renown outran
     And the name died before the man.


[[Page S3750]]


  In countless communities in Kansas and Nebraska, the name and the 
memory of Brook Berringer will live on for years and years to come.
  Mr. President, I know I speak for all Senators, particularly my 
colleague Senator Kassebaum and my two colleagues from Nebraska, 
Senator Exon and Senator Kerrey, in extending our sympathies to the 
families and friends of Brook Berringer and Tobey Lake.

                          ____________________