[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 2 (Wednesday, January 28, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E40]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING LEO ARAGUZ

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. SOLOMON P. ORTIZ

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 28, 1998

  Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in 
congratulating Leo Araguz, a native of Harlingen, Texas, who is being 
honored tonight in his hometown for the professional athletic 
accomplishments in his young life.
  Leo Araguz, a small town guy of modest means, has played professional 
football, as a kicker, for several National Football League teams. 
Tonight, his family, friends and community plan a surprise celebration 
for him in his hometown, and I want to let him know that the House of 
Representatives supports the efforts of his community to honor his 
work.
  Professional sports are the top of the heap for athletes in our 
country. In Texas, football easily reigns over other sports. Getting to 
the top in professional football is a difficult thing to do under the 
best of circumstances, but the circumstances for Leo have never been 
easy.
  As a good athlete in school, he almost missed out on sports 
altogether after a car wreck that badly injured his leg. A full year of 
therapy not only brought him back to football, but strengthened his 
legs, which made him decide to concentrate on the kicking game. As a 
former soccer player, kicking came quite naturally, and a star was 
born.
  The strength of his kicking game assisted the Harlingen High School 
Cardinals in securing several South Texas football honors. In college, 
at Stephen F. Austin State University, he led his division in punting 
in 1992.
  Since that time, he has played for the Miami Dolphins, the San Diego 
Chargers, and the Oakland Raiders. He has just been re-signed by the 
Miami Dolphins and will soon go there for training camp. Please join me 
in commending Leo Araguz for his hard work and his commitment to 
excellence in the game of football.

                          ____________________