[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 50 (Thursday, April 24, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E738]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       A TRIBUTE TO EDWARD CLARK

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BUD SHUSTER

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 24, 1997

  Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, there are three things that are of the 
utmost importance to Pennsylvanians: family, religion, and work. I 
would like to note that amateur wrestling could be added to that 
category. Wrestling's zealous and fervent following in Pennsylvania is 
unlike any place else. I rise today, Mr. Speaker, to pay tribute to a 
Pennsylvanian who has dedicated his life to the sport and its 
participants, Ed Clark.
  He was recently described by a colleague as being, ``A beloved and 
highly competent teacher, coach, and athletic director.'' Ed Clark 
graduated from Bedford High School in 1944, having been a district 
champion wrestler. He entered the U.S. Army and after World War II, 
matriculated to the Pennsylvania State University where he was a member 
of the wrestling team. Upon his graduation from Penn State, he returned 
to his boyhood home of Bedford to begin his teaching career at Bedford 
High School in 1950. Once there, he rejoined his old high school 
wrestling team, this time serving in the capacity as an assistant coach 
to his old mentor, Hall of Fame coach Francis ``Whitney'' Koontz.
  By 1957, Ed Clark had become the head wrestling coach at Bedford, and 
served in that capacity until 1974. The teams he led as head coach 
compiled an incredible record of 129 wins versus only 24 losses and 1 
tie. His success has contributed greatly to the legacy of Pennsylvania 
wrestling. Ed Clark coached Bedford to five undefeated seasons, another 
five seasons with only one loss, won 10 district titles, and never 
coached a losing team despite having consistently competed against the 
top teams in the region.
  He also found the time to coach football and golf at Bedford High 
School during his career, while he retired in 1992 after teaching 
physical education and health for 42 years. Ed Clark's accolades as 
coach were duly noted when he was recently elected to the Pennsylvania 
Wrestling Hall of Fame. I would also like to recognize the fact that at 
a time when the special needs of the physically handicapped were 
largely ignored, Ed Clark made it a point to make the necessary 
adjustments and accommodations to meet the needs of those special 
individuals in his physical education classes.
  Mr. Speaker, I will close by thanking Ed Clark for his outstanding 
service to the area in which he and I live. He is a true community role 
model and his efforts as a teacher, coach, and mentor are a testament 
to his firm commitment to those whose lives he has touched.

                          ____________________