[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 12 (Tuesday, February 4, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E125-E126]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          TRIBUTE TO JIM KELLY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JACK QUINN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 4, 1997

  Mr. QUINN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Jim Kelly on the 
occasion of his retirement as quarterback for the Buffalo Bills.
  Throughout its celebrated history, the Buffalo Bills have never 
enjoyed the tremendous

[[Page E126]]

success it did under the able leadership of Jim Kelly. During his 11-
year career, Jim Kelly took the Bills from league obscurity to four 
consecutive Super Bowls. He amassed nearly 36,000 passing yards, 
completing over 60 percent of his attempts. But with Jim Kelly, 
statistics only tell half the story. His toughness, will to win, and 
dedication to his team are truly legendary.
  In addition to his Hall of Fame caliber performance as a professional 
quarterback, Jim Kelly has proven himself a leader off the field in our 
western New York community. His charitable endeavors include an annual 
celebrity golf tournament to benefit disadvantaged children, 
involvement with area youth through an annual football camp, the Kelly 
for Kids Foundation, and his tireless effort on behalf of Camp Good 
Days and Special Times for families dealing with cancer.
  Jim's own family played an important role in developing the values 
which made him such a leader in the community and with the Bills. His 
closeness to his father and brothers, well-known love and admiration 
for his late mother, Alice, and commitment to his new family embody the 
true blue-collar values which characterize our community.
  Mr. Speaker, today I would like to join with Jim's wife, Jill; his 
daughter, Erin; his brothers, Pat, Ray, Ed, Dan, and Kevin; his father, 
Joe; the Buffalo Bills organization; the National Football League; and 
indeed, our entire western New York community to pay tribute to Mr. Jim 
Kelly. With retirement comes many new opportunities. May Jim meet every 
opportunity with the same enthusiasm and vigor in which he demonstrated 
throughout his brilliant career; and may those opportunities be as 
fruitful as those in his past.
  On behalf of all of the Buffalo Bills fans in western New York and 
elsewhere, I would just like to express to Jim our sincere thanks and 
congratulations.

                          ____________________