[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 120 (Thursday, September 11, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1737]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  TRIBUTE TO DON ``THE BEAR'' HASKINS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SILVESTRE REYES

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 11, 1997

  Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a man of great 
talent and rare humility; a man who has challenged young people to 
excel and reach beyond their dreams; a man whose steady guidance has 
influenced the lives of many over the course of a long and 
distinguished career. I am speaking of Don ``The Bear'' Haskins who has 
been the head basketball coach for the University of Texas at El Paso 
for more than 36 years.
  Don's teams have won 691 games, a historic national championship, 7 
WAC titles, and made 14 NCAA tournament appearances. In 1987, Don was 
inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame. Don Haskins ranks ninth 
among the all-time winningest coaches.
  But beyond his obvious success on the court, Don Haskins is most 
proud of the fact that he opened doors for minority players. Don 
Haskins won the 1966 National Championship over heavily favored 
Kentucky with an all black starting five, an NCAA first.
  Later this month, Don Haskins will be inducted into the Naismith 
Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, joining other sports legends--former 
Princeton coach Pete Carril, former NBA stars Alex English and Bailey 
Howell, women stars Denise Curry and Joan Crawford and Spain's Antonio 
Diaz-Miguel.
  A native of Enid, OK, Don is married to the former Mary Gorman of 
Bartlesville, OK. The couple has three sons, Brent, Steve, and David, 
and two grandchildren. I want to congratulate Don not only for being 
inducted into the Hall of Fame but for the contributions he has made to 
UTEP and the community of El Paso, and indeed, for the advancement of 
race relations in this country. He has inspired us all and I am proud 
to honor him today before my colleagues in the U.S. House of 
Representatives as a man of great integrity, courage, and honor.

                          ____________________