[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 67 (Tuesday, May 11, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E922]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    IN MEMORY OF BRANDON BURLSWORTH

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ASA HUTCHINSON

                              of arkansas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 11, 1999

  Mr. HUTCHINSON. Mr. Speaker, like residents all across my home state 
of Arkansas, I am deeply saddened by the recent loss of Brandon 
Burlsworth--a star football player for the Arkansas Razorbacks and a 
recent draft pick of the Indianapolis Colts. He was a role model for 
our state's youth, but he was also a role model for Arkansans of all 
ages.
  Brandon was an inspiration in more than his athletic prowess. His 
achievements on the football field were great--but they were dwarfed by 
his achievements of personal character. His short life will long stand 
in Arkansas legend as a shining example of dedication, perseverance, 
commitment, faith and strength.
  Consider the path that took Brandon to the NFL. In high school, he 
was not the biggest or the fastest guy on the team. But even then, he 
stood out because of his commitment. When he graduated from high 
school, he had offers for scholarships to some good schools, but they 
were smaller schools and, unfortunately, none of them were the 
University of Arkansas. Brandon was set on being a Razorback, and he 
would settle for nothing less.
  Rather than give up his dream, Brandon traveled to Fayetteville and 
pursued his dream without a net, walking on to the Razorback field 
without any guarantees, without any scholarship. As his teammates and 
coaches can attest, he worked as hard as--if not harder--than anyone 
else on the team. He arrived in the weight room early and stayed late--
always striving, always working, always focused. And that work paid 
off.
  Through such commitment, Brandon not only secured himself a spot on 
the team; by the time he graduated from the university, he was named an 
All-American. His teammates so respected Brandon, they elected him team 
captain. And from this hard road, Brandon reached the very top, having 
been recently drafted by the Colts to play as a professional. And we 
all know that he would have succeeded here, as he had done throughout 
his life.
  But it is important to point out that football did not dominate 
Brandon's life, that his achievements went much further than that. He 
was the first player in Razorback history to get an advanced degree 
before playing his last game--having applied the same dedication and 
commitment from the football field to the classroom. And Brandon's 
commitment to his family and his faith are equally well known.
  So when we honor Brandon Burlsworth, let us honor the full man, the 
full inspiration that he was to our state. While we applaud his 
commitment to football, we applaud even more his commitment to life. A 
native son that will be missed, but a role model that will live on in 
Arkansas memory.

                          ____________________