[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 97 (Monday, July 12, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1514-E1515]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       TRIBUTE TO BOBBY LANG LEGENDARY TRACK COACH AT FLORIDA A&M

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. CARRIE P. MEEK

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 12, 1999

  Mrs. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Coach 
Bobby Lang, the legendary track coach at Florida A&M University, who 
resigned this past Friday, after 40 years of service.
  Coach Lang is the last in a long line of legendary Florida A&M 
coaches who took little and did much. A full time professor of health

[[Page E1515]]

and physical education Coach Lang has also directed the men's track 
program at Florida A&M since 1966. He's coached men and women's track 
full-time since 1982. For many years, Lang coached track, was an 
assistant football coach, and taught classes.
  During his tenure at Florida A&M, Coach Lang has pretty much done it 
all, and along the way, he's developed some pretty good talent, too; 
dozens of All-Americans and even an Olympian.
  In forty year's, his teams have won 38 conference titles; including a 
rare triple crown this year where his team won conference championships 
in cross country, indoor track and outdoor track--the first Mid-Eastern 
Athletic Conference Coach to achieve this.
  Few men have achieved the success that Bobby Lang has known in his 
profession. Few men have achieved such universal respect and admiration 
from his colleagues. Few men have known the thrill that has come to 
this compassionate giant in taking young men and women and instilling 
confidence and pride in them, to the extent that those lessons are 
never forgotten.
  They don't make great men like Bobby Lang anymore. His presence at 
the Florida A&M track program will sorely be missed. He won't be there 
next year to train the next generation of Rattler track athletes; he'll 
be at home spending a little more time with his wife of many years, 
Gladys, and his family.
  My colleagues, Bobby Lang is more than just a great track coach; he 
is a great teacher, a great motivator and innovator, a great human 
being, and indeed, a great American.
  Coach Lang, we'll all miss you. Enjoy your retirement from track.

                          ____________________