[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 1 (Tuesday, January 27, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S58-S59]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SENATE RESOLUTION 167--RECOGNIZING THE OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT OF JOHN 
     ELWAY IN THE VICTORY OF THE DENVER BRONCOS IN SUPER BOWL XXXII

  Mr. CAMPBELL (for himself and Mr. Allard) submitted the following 
resolution; which was considered and agreed to.

                              S. Res. 167

       Whereas since becoming quarterback for the Denver Broncos 
     in 1983, John Elway has been involved in some of the most 
     striking comeback victories in the history of the National 
     Football League (referred to in this resolution as the 
     ``NFL'');
       Whereas John Elway has been a Pro Bowl quarterback, was 
     named NFL Most Valuable Player in 1987 and the American 
     Football Conference's Most Valuable Player in 1993, holds 
     numerous NFL passing records, and is the all-time winningest 
     quarterback in the history of the NFL;
       Whereas John Elway's leadership, dedication, and 
     perseverance symbolizes excellence in these qualities for the 
     entire Nation and represents these qualities for America to 
     the world; and
       Whereas John Elway, an exceptional athlete, has sustained a 
     high level of personal competitiveness and has finally led 
     his team to the honor of a Super Bowl championship: Now, 
     therefore, be it
         Resolved, That the Senate--
         (1) recognizes the outstanding achievement of the Denver 
     Broncos' quarterback, John Elway; and
         (2) congratulates John Elway as the winning quarterback 
     of Super Bowl XXXII.

  Mr. CAMPBELL. Mr. President, tonight the President of the United 
States will outline some important issues for our consideration during 
the second half of this Congress, and, as I have sat here for the last 
40 minutes listening to some of my colleagues, they have spoken with 
great emphasis on the importance of the points on which they are going 
to agree and disagree with him. But today I rise, with my friend 
Senator Allard, to submit two resolutions that are on a happier note. 
These resolutions are to honor the outstanding achievement of the 
Denver Broncos in their winning of Super Bowl XXXII.
  The first resolution recognizes the entire Broncos organization and 
the other honors John Elway, the team's veteran leader, who happens to 
be a personal friend of both Senator Allard and myself. For the first 
time in 13 years, an AFC team has won the Super Bowl, and it is only 
the second time a wild-card team has won since 1980. Indeed, they were 
the underdog in the betting from Las Vegas to Atlantic City and all 
points in between.
  As those football fans among us might know, the Broncos have glimpsed 
victory on four prior occasions, but had victory elude them each time. 
All of that changed this past Sunday. With an inspiring team effort, 
they beat the odds and the legendary Green Bay Packers, a team as 
talented and formidable as any of the championship Packer teams before 
it.
  So sure were some people that the Broncos would lose, one electric 
appliance merchant in Farmington, NM, and Durango, CO, offered 
unlimited free appliances to customers on the day before the game if 
the Broncos won. Under the agreement, the customers would have only had 
to pay if the Broncos lost. Lucky for him, he had the foresight to take 
out a $300,000 insurance policy, which barely covered his losses to 
jubilant customers as the unexpected happened and they showed up 
yesterday at both of his stores to collect on their free appliances.
  In a brilliant athletic and strategic contest, both the Denver 
Broncos and the Green Bay Packers reflected qualities that we all value 
and admire: hard work, teamwork, preparation, dedication, and 
sportsmanship above all things. For that, and a beautiful display of 
terrific physical talent, both teams must be commended and applauded.
  I want to highlight the Denver team, of course, because I am from 
Colorado and because they displayed a resilience and perseverance in 
overcoming four previous Super Bowl losses, qualities which any one of 
us must cheer who, in

[[Page S59]]

any type of endeavor, has ever tried and failed.
  The Denver team succeeded with the leadership of John Elway, the MVP 
performance of Terrell Davis, a skilled offensive line that proved 
confidence and heart can compete with size, and a defense that proved 
as strong as it was fearless against a formidable offense.
  Our second resolution specifically honors John Elway for his 
outstanding accomplishment in leading the Broncos to its fourth Super 
Bowl appearance and its first Super Bowl victory. In bringing his team 
a national championship, Mr. Elway has given us lessons in the game of 
football for years to come, and Sunday he gave us a new lesson in 
perseverance, dedication and true sportsmanship. He is certainly a 
hero.
  Mr. ALLARD. I thank the senior Senator from Colorado for yielding.
  Mr. President, as a fifth generation Coloradan who has rooted for the 
Broncos since they were first organized in the early 1960's, I want to 
give my Mile High Salute! A Super Bowl victory has been a long time 
coming for Broncos fans. Broncos fans have searched for an identity 
theme from ``Orange Crush'' in honor of one of their best defensive 
teams to ``the Mile High Salute.'' Many of the themes were lost in time 
through legal hassles or disappointing seasons. But ``the Mile High 
Salute'' is here to stay, etched in history with a Super Bowl Victory!
  Rules limiting the celebration of success on the football field have 
made it difficult for players and coaches to express their emotions. 
``The Mile High Salute'' has become the Broncos symbol of success on 
the field. I do not believe there is a more honorable and appropriate 
way of celebrating in the game of football. The salute is honorable. 
Denver is the Mile High City. The Mile High Salute has come to mean 
more than success and honor with the Super Bowl Victory. It has come to 
mean dedication, hard work, exceeding peoples' expectations, team work 
and unity, and giving the spirit of competition its just reward. It is 
in this context that I give my Mile High Salute.
  I want to salute the Green Bay Packers organization. They are a great 
organization and Wisconsin can be proud of them. They made this Super 
Bowl one of the best ever. They have a legacy in football that is 
honored throughout America. I know both my colleagues in the Senate 
from Wisconsin are avid supporters.
  My good friend Congressman Scott Klug, who I joined in the U.S. House 
of Representatives in 1991, got carried away with his enthusiasm for 
his Green Bay Packers and placed a wager with me. Instead of me 
providing him with Colorado beef he has the honor of bestowing on me 
some great Wisconsin cheese. Scott is retiring and I will miss him in 
the Congress because he has done such a great job in bringing about 
true reform. America is better because of his leadership in the U.S. 
House of Representatives.
  I extend a Mile High Salute to the offensive and defensive Broncos 
linemen. They truly exemplify the team spirit and exceeded expectations 
with the smallest line in the National Football League. Known as the 
``Orange Hush,'' these are men that have an oath of silence, who 
routinely arrive an hour early for morning meetings so they can watch 
extra videotape together, who eat meals together, who dress together in 
the same locker room area, who study the Bible together, and who, most 
importantly, show up on game day together.
  An obvious Mile High Salute goes to both quarterback John Elway and 
running back Terrell Davis. They recognized that they didn't do it 
alone even though they have become heroes of the game.
  John Elway is topping off his marvelous career with a Super Bowl win! 
Many top NFL quarterbacks never have the opportunity to claim a Super 
Bowl victory. He will eventually be in the Football Hall of Fame. I 
know him personally and cannot think of anyone more deserving of such 
an honor. He is supported by a wonderful wife Janet and family.
  Fifteen years ago few people in the Denver community could have 
guessed the impact this young quarterback from Stanford would have on 
the State of Colorado. Today, John Elway reigns as the king of the 
comeback and the winningest quarterback in NFL history. He is one of 
the most recognized figures in American sports. Aside from his 
considerable athletic accomplishments, Elway has proven himself 
time and again to be the heart and soul of his team. As important as 
Elway's role is in Colorado sports, he plays a greater role in the 
community. Over the years he has worked tirelessly for the charities of 
Colorado, and the Elway Foundation is responsible for hundreds of 
thousands of dollars in donations. I think that in the hearts and minds 
of all Broncos fans this one is indeed for John.

  Terrell Davis returned to the San Diego area and his high school alma 
mater to demonstrate the can do attitude. I personally am amazed at his 
courage, work ethic, and commitment to winning for the Broncos team. 
His 157 yards rushing and record three touchdowns in a Super Bowl will 
be remembered. But this was only the culmination of his best season 
ever. Davis has grown from a 196th pick in 1995 draft to a Super Bowl 
MVP and 1,750 yard rusher in 15 regular season games. Davis will long 
be known by the nickname TD as he averaged one touchdown in every game 
he played in the 1997-1998 season.
  I salute the entire Broncos staff, owners, and coaches. Mike Shanahan 
has done a great job and certainly is deserving of the honor as a 
winning Super Bowl coach. Coach Shanahan and his staff have done an 
incredible job of taking what was a 7-9 team in 1994 to a 12-4 team 
with the heart to persevere through one of the most difficult roads to 
the Super Bowl with victories in Kansas City and Pittsburgh. The team 
statistics speak for themselves, the Broncos offense was ranked number 
one in the League with 367 yards per game and the defense was the top 
rated unit in the AFC only allowing 292 yards per game. I congratulate 
Pat Bowlen because I know that good leadership starts at the top.
  I want to recognize the general manager of the Broncos. John Beake is 
a good friend and has a great family. He does a great job of 
representing the Broncos organization. Both he and his wife Marcia need 
to be recognized for their fight to eliminate drug abuse. Just another 
example of how the Broncos organization has reached out into the 
community.
  I give a Mile High Salute to the fans of the Broncos. They are the 
best. Many, like my wife Joan, were attending Bronco games when they 
were playing at the old University of Denver football stadium and wore 
vertically striped socks. Their enthusiasm has not waned over the 
years.
  It is an honor for me to represent everyone in Colorado in the U.S. 
Senate. It is especially exciting to be here while winning Super Bowl 
XXXII. While I was interviewed last week about the President's 
scandals. I stated a number of times that people in Colorado have their 
priorities straight. They want their Broncos to win the Super Bowl and 
that's what they're talking about!
  Joan and I only wish we could be in Colorado helping our friends and 
neighbors in giving the Broncos and their fans a Mile High Salute.

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