[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 74 (Thursday, May 20, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5772-S5773]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                TRIBUTE TO DR. GEORGE VERNON IRONS, SR.

 Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize one of 
Alabama's great native sons, Dr. George Vernon Irons, Sr., and to 
acknowledge the eulogy by Dr. James D. Moebes, given at his funeral 
service on July 21, 1998.
  A native of Demopolis, Dr. Irons was Distinguished Professor of 
History and Political Science, Samford University, 43 years, 
Distinguished Professor Emeritus, 22 years--a Samford record. Dr. Irons 
taught not only history but how to make history--teaching 17 students 
who become university presidents--more than any educator.
  Dr. Irons was also one of Alabama's true athletic greats--the only 
distance man--the only University of Alabama track man--ever inducted 
into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame. Mr. President, only three men 
have been inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame on the first 
ballot: Ralph Shug Jordan, Paul Bear Bryant and Dr. George Irons. He 
was its oldest member at age 95.
  Mr. President, Dr. Irons was truly an institution in himself. He 
first came to Howard College (now Samford University) in Birmingham in 
1933. When Dr. Irons reported to Howard College, the school was in 
serious financial trouble owing a half million dollars. Dr. Irons gave 
a wealth of leadership, dedication and promise, sorely needed by 
Howard.
  The rest of history. Today Samford University is the largest 
privately endowed Baptist school in the world; largest Baptist pharmacy 
school in the world. The only Baptist university in America with an 
inspiring domed school of divinity on its campus.
  Born in Demopolis, Dr. Irons taught at Duke University for two years 
before joining Samford. Dr. Irons was a founding member of the Alabama 
Historical Association in 1947 and attended the 50th anniversary of the 
organization last year in Birmingham. He was also a member of the 
Southern Historical Association, Alabama Baptist Historical 
Association, Birmingham-Jefferson Historical Society and John H. Forney 
Historical Society. Dr. Irons historical writings were published by 
those organizations.
  He was past president of the Alabama Writer's Conclave and received a 
distinguished service award from that organization in 1977. He also 
served as Vice President of the Alabama Academy of Science.
  Dr. Irons was awarded the George Washington Honor Medal from 
Freedom's at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, in 1962 and the George 
Washington Honor Award in 1963. He was Director of Samford's 
Freedom Foundation Program which won a record seventeen consecutive 
awards. The Samford yearbook, Entre Nous, was dedicated by the Samford 
student body to Dr. Irons, and unprecedented four times during his 
teaching career--in 1941, 1960, 1969, and 1974. He served as a member 
of the Jefferson County Judicial Commission from 1961 to 1965, 
selecting circuit judges for the largest judicial circuit in Alabama.

  Dr. Irons was selected to Who's Who in America, Who's Who in the 
South and Southwest, Who's Who in American Education and Directory of 
American Scholars.
  Dr. Irons is a true Alabama sports legend. In the early 1920's, the 
prowess of the Alabama Crimson Tide football had ebbed. However, 
Crimson Tide track and distance star, George Irons, kept the athletic 
flame burning at the Capstone as its ``Knight of the Cinderpath.'' The 
late Senator John Sparkman, a classmate of Irons, said, ``George Irons 
was all we had to cheer about--if it hadn't been for Irons, athletics 
would have been pretty boring back then.''
  His athletic feats have been heralded by legendary Coach Paul 
``Bear'' Bryant as ``truly outstanding athletic achievements,'' Coach 
Wallace Wade (three time Rose Bowl winner) as the ``greatest distance 
runner of his day,'' and Coach Hank Crisp as ``self-made distance star 
for the Alabama Crimson Tide.''
  In 1923, he was described by those who knew him best--his fellow 
classmates at the University of Alabama, including the late U.S. 
Senator John Sparkman:
  ``George Irons: The South's greatest distance runner and a scholarly 
Christian gentleman. He is one of the true greats of Alabama athletic 
history, an honor man in scholarship and a record breaking athlete--
that is a real man--our Knight of the Cinderpath.''

[[Page S5773]]

  [The Corolla, 1923.]
  At his interment ceremonies Dr. Irons received full military honors. 
A 21 gun salute was fired and taps bugled in honor of his valiant 
service in World War II, rising to the rank of Colonel, with 33 years 
active and reserve duty.
  It's no surprise his life had such brilliant radiance. No surprise 
his devoted valiant service was so broad in scope. Devoted service to:
  Family. His wife, Velma Wright Irons, a distinguished educator in her 
own right--sons, Dr. George Vernon Irons, Jr., Charlotte, North 
Carolina, a practicing cardiologist and William Lee Irons, a prominent 
Birmingham attorney. Both have left notable marks on their professions 
of medicine and law. Parenthetically, Dr. George V. Irons, Sr., and his 
son, William L. Irons, are the only father-son listing selected to the 
1998 Who's Who in America from the entire State of Alabama--yet another 
record for this remarkable man.

  Alma Mater. The University of Alabama--where he established his name 
in crimson flame as ``one of the true greats in Alabama's famed 
athletic history.'' A Phi Beta Kappa honors student, Irons was the 
University of Alabama's--the State of Alabama--nominee for the Rhodes 
Scholarship to England in 1924. Since the University's founding in 
1831, only seven athletes have been selected to become a member of Phi 
Beta Kappa.
  College. Dr. Irons was a key player in seeing Howard College grow 
from a financially distressed school, to the largest privately endowed 
Baptist university in the world--an internationally acclaimed 
university.
  Dr. Irons was elected by the Samford University Faculty to serve as 
Grand Marshall of all academic, graduation and commencement exercises. 
Leading the academic processionals for fifteen years, carrying the 
silver scepter, symbol of Samford University's authority--Dr. Irons 
wore brilliant blue academic gowns and silks with dignity and 
distinction. In 1976, the Samford University Faculty wrote in the 
University's records by Resolution:
  ``In the long history of Samford University, Dr. Irons must be ranked 
at the very top in terms of his widespread beneficent influence, the 
love that former students evidence from him, and his impeccable 
character and qualities of modesty, humility, kindness and selfless 
service to the University.
  [Samford University Resolution (1976)]
  Country. Dr. Irons distinguished himself in World War II, rising to 
the rank of Colonel, defending his Nation for a third of the 20th 
Century in war and peace.
  God. Dr. Irons gave tireless service to his Church as deacon, Sunday 
School teacher and Chairman of the Board of Deacons, and was elected as 
lifetime Deacon, Southside Baptist Church. His life reflects his depth 
of devotion in word, thought and deed--an icon of virtue--a legendary 
role model for generations of Samford students spanning over half a 
century.
  Mr. President, America salutes Dr. George Vernon Irons, Sr., as 
record breaking champion athlete for his alma mater, the University of 
Alabama, as Colonel, World War II, who defended his Nation for a third 
of the 20th century in war and peace, as Distinguished Professor, 43 
years, Distinguished Professor Emeritus, 22 years, as Grand Marshall, 
Samford University, elected by the Faculty to preside over all 
commencement and academic exercises, as one of its most admired leaders 
in its proud history. America salutes Dr. Irons for his character, 
devotion to cause, exemplary standards of honor, duty and integrity. 
America proudly salutes Dr. George Vernon Irons, Sr., one of Alabama's 
greatest native sons, whose life of devoted service is an inspiration 
to all Americans.

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