[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 129 (Thursday, September 24, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1798-E1799]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 A TRIBUTE TO LOU NANNE ON HIS ELECTION TO THE U.S. HOCKEY HALL OF FAME

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JIM RAMSTAD

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 24, 1998

  Mr. RAMSTAD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to one of the 
greatest figures in the history of hockey in Minnesota, the birthplace 
of this great sport in America.
  Hockey is an instrumental part of the culture of our wonderful state. 
Minnesotans often boast about our 10,000 lakes, but we have 10 times as 
many ice rinks. And Lou Nanne is one of the founding fathers of hockey 
in Minnesota as well as our nation.
  Mr. Speaker, Lou Nanne of Edina, Minnesota, located in the Third 
Congressional District, was elected to the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame on 
Wednesday, September 23rd, a truly fitting tribute to ``Sweet Lou from 
The Soo,'' a reference to his native Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.
  Just like his patented rushes from one end of the rink to the other, 
Lou Nanne is known from coast to coast for the key role he played in 
making hockey the major sport it is in America today. In 1989, Lou 
received the prestigious Lester Patrick Award for his outstanding 
service to hockey in the United States.
  Mr. Speaker, there is no level of hockey--amateur, college, Olympic, 
international and pro--in America which has not been touched by Lou 
Nanne's great playing talent, coaching expertise, distinctive 
management style, enthusiasm, articulate salesmanship and inspirational 
involvement.
  Whether it is attending a pee wee hockey game at a cold, neighborhood 
rink somewhere in a distant corner of our state, speaking to a high 
school boosters group, helping to raise money for a paralyzed young 
player, competing at the highest level of the sport both here and 
around the world, or managing a professional team, Lou Nanne has done 
it all in promoting the sport he loves so dearly.
  Mr. Speaker, Lou came to prominence as a player for the University of 
Minnesota, my alma mater. Lou played for the Gophers from 1959 to 1963 
and was named an All-American his senior year.
  Lou Nanne served as captain of the 1968 U.S. Olympic team, as well as 
general manager of Team USA for four years.
  Lou was the hometown favorite when he played for the Minnesota North 
Stars of the National Hockey League, starring with the team from its 
inception and remaining one of the team's stalwarts for more than a 
decade of thrills, from 1967 to 1978. He was coach of the North Stars 
in 1978, general manager for the ensuing decade and president from 1988 
to 1990.
  We Minnesotans just call him Sweet Lou because of his smooth stick 
handling skills and low-key, friendly personality. I'm also proud to 
call Lou Nanne my good friend of many years.

[[Page E1799]]

  Mr. Speaker, all Minnesotans are extremely proud of Lou Nanne on his 
election to the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame. We wish Lou and Francine and 
their wonderful family the very best in the years to come.

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