[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 133 (Tuesday, October 5, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2031]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   IN HONOR OF JOHN BIG DAWG THOMPSON

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, October 5, 1999

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor John Big Dawg 
Thompson.
  John Big Dawg Thompson, legendary Cleveland Browns superfan, is the 
heart and soul of the Cleveland Browns and the Cleveland Browns' Dawg 
Pound. Nationally recognized, Big Dawg's passion for the Cleveland 
Browns has touched the spirit of football fans everywhere. Members of 
Congress have even felt Big Dawg's devotion when he testified before a 
House committee as the Browns fan who could best convey the trauma to 
fans from the teams' sudden move to Baltimore.
  Driven by heartfelt emotion and determination, Big Dawg served 
further as a crucial player in saving the team's name and colors and in 
bringing the Browns back to Cleveland. Big Dawg's big heart was never 
silenced throughout the years Cleveland was deprived of a team. Due in 
large part to his efforts, the Cleveland Browns are now back.
  Celebrated as one of football's most famous fans, Big Dawg was 
inducted this year into the Visa Hall of Fans at the Pro Football Hall 
of Fame in Canton, Ohio. Big Dawg's role evolved back in 1985 when he 
donned a dog mask after Browns players Hanford Dixon and Frank 
Minnifield coined the term Dawg Pound to refer to the barking bleacher 
fans at the old Cleveland Municipal Stadium. Soon thereafter, the media 
discovered Big Dawg influencing Browns backers everywhere to wear, not 
only orange and brown, but dog masks and dog collars. With a new 
meaning to Cleveland's home field advantage, the Dawg Pound became an 
explosive force in leading the Browns to victory.
  Not just a football fan, Big Dawg also serves as a community leader 
and a devoted family man. As a kid-friendly fellow, Big Dawg has made 
numerous appearances at local schools and local events. He is also 
featured on the box of his new Big Dawg Crunch cereal. Big Dawg has 
even earmarked royalties from cereal sales to go toward the American 
Diabetes Association and the Lomas Brown Jr. Foundation. 
Congratulations to Big Dawg for his charitable services, his devotion 
to his family, and for being the Cleveland Browns' number one fan. Keep 
the tradition alive!
  My fellow colleagues, join me in honoring John Big Dawg Thompson.

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