[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 24 (Friday, February 28, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1802-S1803]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         VONNIE AND DALE BROWN

 Mr. CONRAD. Mr. President, the great State of North Dakota has 
brought forth many sons and daughters who have made tremendous 
contributions to our Nation and our world. Throughout its history, our 
State has given rise to individuals of great character, strong 
perseverance, and expansive vision. Today, I ask my colleagues to join 
me in recognizing two such individuals of whom North Dakota is very 
proud: Vonnie and Dale Brown.
  A native of Columbus, ND, Vonnie Ness was the daughter of Martha and 
Clifford Ness and the granddaughter of Norwegian homesteaders, who came 
to the United States in the 1800's to settle in North Dakota. Possessed 
with both a great love and talent for dance, Vonnie graduated with a 
degree from Minot State University. When she and Dale married and later 
moved to Baton Rouge, LA, she combined a career as an instructor at 
Louisiana State University with the responsibilities of full-time 
motherhood to their daughter, Robyn. For many years, Vonnie taught a 
variety of dance courses at LSU where she was a much-loved and highly 
popular instructor. Since leaving LSU, she has continued her 
internationally acclaimed research in ethnic and folk

[[Page S1803]]

dance and maintains an extensive schedule of travel throughout eastern 
Europe as a preeminent scholar in this field.
  Born in Minot, ND, 61 years ago, Dale grew up in the most challenging 
of circumstances. He was raised in a single-parent home by a mother, 
Agnes Brown, whose strength of character and persistence in the face of 
great poverty kept the family together. Dale's life is a testament to 
overcoming hardship through optimism and hard work. Indeed, he has 
never not worked, having held a job throughout his childhood and young 
adulthood to support his family and help pay for his college education 
at Minot State, of which he is also a proud alumnus. In turn, North 
Dakota and Minot State University are extremely proud of him. When he 
arrived at LSU, charged with reestablishing a once-powerful basketball 
program that had fallen on hard times, Dale took to the task with his 
usual blend of tenaciousness and God-given ability. It was not long 
before the Fighting Tigers were living up to their name, and LSU was 
once again on the map as a basketball powerhouse.
  The statistics are in the record books and speak for themselves. 
Since he arrived at LSU in 1972, Dale's teams have gone on to secure 
four Southeastern Conference titles, made 13 NCAA tournament 
appearances, including two trips to the Final Four, and provided 
thousands of hours of enjoyment to spectators who appreciated seeing 
skill and sportsmanship in college basketball. Over 25 years he has 
recruited, coached, and mentored a long list of players who have had 
significant careers in the NBA.
  But the record books don't even begin to tell the full story of what 
Dale Brown has done at LSU and contributed to our society. Ask any of 
the players he has coached what it is that they most value about their 
experience at LSU and they will tell you, clearly and simply, ``It's 
been an honor playing for him.'' A current team member recently said in 
an article in the Washington Post about Dale's upcoming retirement, 
``He just teaches you more than basketball. He teaches you how to be 
successful in life. Every day it's always more than basketball. It's 
how to have an interview, how to hold a job. He's always bringing in 
motivational speakers to talk to us.''
  Too often in college sports, the goal of developing mature young 
women and men is forgotten to the all-consuming need to win, to show 
more skill on the playing field takes precedence overall else. To be 
sure, Dale Brown has compiled a record of great success on the 
basketball court; his players have benefited from his technical skill 
and coaching ability and have played very, very well. But his greatest 
legacy will be the players who have matured, through exposure to his 
character and example, into fine human beings. Our society needs more 
of these people and we need more teachers like Dale and like Vonnie to 
help our young people aim high and grow.
  As Dale prepares to leave his position at LSU, coaching his last game 
this Saturday, we would like to recognize him and Vonnie for their 
contributions and wish them well as they enter this exciting new period 
of their lives together. Many new experiences await them, but some 
things will remain; undoutedbly, they will continue to leave their own 
special marks on the people they encounter and the lives they touch 
evey day.
  Mr. President, North Dakota is a State of achievers, of people who 
overcome adversity and who embody the most noble characteristics of our 
pioneer ancestors and try their hardest, sometimes failing, but never 
quitting. Such is the example set for us by Vonnie and Dale Brown. 
Vonnie and Dale live in Louisiana now, but they will forever be North 
Dakotans, carrying forth their fellowman that make our State strong and 
all of us proud. I ask my fellow Senators to join me in saluting them 
today.

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