[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 58 (Wednesday, May 1, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E689]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          TRIBUTE TO DICK HOAK

                                 ______


                             HON. RON KLINK

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 1, 1996

  Mr. KLINK. Mr. Speaker, when I think of the past 35 years of the 
Pittsburgh Steelers organization, certain memories come to mind. The 
rough and tumble Steelers of the early sixties with Bobby Layne and 
John Henry Johnson; the glory years of the seventies when the Steelers 
won an unprecedented four Super Bowls coached by Chuck Noll and under 
the leadership of Terry Bradshaw, Mean Joe Greene, Jack Lambert, Franco 
Harris, and other stars too numerous to mention; and finally the 
current Steelers, the reigning AFC champions. All these memories have 
one constant. That constant is Dick Hoak.
  As we honor Dick Hoak this evening, we remember the enormous 
contribution he has given to the Steelers as both player and coach. 
When Dick graduated from Penn State in 1961, he was drafted by the 
Steelers in the seventh round. During his 9 years as a player, Dick led 
the Steelers in rushing for 3 years and also was named to the Pro Bowl 
in 1969. Dick is the fourth highest leading rusher in Steelers' 
history.
  Dick also has made a profound impact as a Steelers' coach. For the 
past 24 years, Dick has been in charge of the offensive backfield and 
most recently has exclusively coached the running backs. Under Hoak's 
guidance, the Steelers have produced such notable running backs as 
Franco Harris, Rocky Bleier, Frank Pollard, Earnest Jackson, and more 
recently Barry Foster and Bam Morris. Dick has the distinction of being 
the longest-tenured coach in Steelers' history.
  I am honored to present Dick with this letter of commendation. The 
city of Jeanette is truly blessed to call Dick one of its own.

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