[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 11 (Wednesday, February 9, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Pages S555-S556]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       REMEMBERING DERRICK THOMAS

  Mr. ASHCROFT. Mr. President, it is with great sadness that I come to 
the floor today. Just a few days ago, on February 1, I came here to 
talk about a professional football achievement, congratulating the St. 
Louis Rams on their Super Bowl victory. It was a tremendous victory.

[[Page S556]]

  Today, I come to the floor on what may seem to some to be another 
``football story,'' albeit one that is much more tragic. I want to make 
remarks about my friend, Kansas City Chiefs' linebacker Derrick Thomas. 
I want to talk about more than just professional sports. I believe what 
is important in life is not what game you play but how you play the 
game to which you are called. I want to share my thoughts on a young 
man who was a true professional.
  Yesterday, the Kansas City Chiefs' great linebacker, Derrick Thomas, 
died of cardiorespiratory arrest, a complication from a tragic 
automobile accident of January 23. The accident occurred on a snow and 
ice-covered stretch of Interstate 435 in Clay County, MO, as Derrick 
and two of his friends were headed to the airport to fly to St. Louis 
for the NFC championship game between St. Louis Rams and the Tampa Bay 
Buccaneers. To Derrick's many loyal fans, the news of his death is 
stunning and saddening--profoundly saddening.
  The life of Derrick Thomas, who lived but 33 years, should be 
celebrated. His accomplishments on the field and off the field were 
substantial. An All-American at the University of Alabama, he became an 
instant star with the Kansas City Chiefs after his selection in the 
first round of the 1989 draft. He was named as an All-Pro in each of 
his first nine seasons in the league. Derrick ranked ninth on the all-
time list in career quarterback sacks.
  Chiefs fans will never forget the day in 1990 when No. 58 set the 
amazing single-game record of seven sacks in a game against the Seattle 
Seahawks on Veterans Day. What some people don't know is that Derrick 
dedicated his efforts on Veterans Day to his father, an Air Force pilot 
killed in Vietnam in Operation Linebacker II when Derrick was just 
five.
  The fighters from nearby Whiteman Air Force Base periodically do a 
fly-by during pre-game ceremonies. The planes, according to Derrick 
Thomas, reminded him of his father and provided inspiration for some of 
his greatest and most spectacular performances. I have been at 
Arrowhead Stadium before games for those pre-game ceremonies, when in 
the parking lot there was tailgating, with the smoke from the barbecue 
and the roar from the jets as they crossed the field in a fly-by. It is 
a moving experience, but it moved none of us as much as it moved 
Derrick Thomas, who set records based on the inspiration that reminded 
him of his dad.
  Derrick will, no doubt, enter the pantheon of Kansas City's great 
athletes--George Brett, Tom Watson, and Len Dawson, just to name a few. 
But Derrick's accomplishments off the field are worthy of note as well. 
He was that kind of special star who took all that he gained from his 
talents and gave back with generosity, energy, and joy to his 
community. Very early in his career as a Kansas City Chief, he began an 
inner-city reading program called the ``Third and Long Foundation.'' As 
part of it, he read to children at local libraries on Saturdays when he 
was home in Kansas City during the season.
  He was No. 832 among President George Bush's celebrated ``Thousand 
Points of Light.'' He was named the NFL's Man of the Year in 1993. Two 
years later, he received the Byron ``Whizzer" White Humanitarian Award 
from the NFL Players Association for his service to the community. In 
addition, he received the Genuine Heroes Award from Trinity College in 
Chicago.
  But more important than accolades from several foundations was the 
love and respect directed toward Derrick by the people of Kansas City. 
They understood that Derrick helped bring an invigorated sense of civic 
pride and community and togetherness to Kansas City, and the Chiefs 
fans were inspired by his sunny smile, his giving heart, and his 
winning ways. The arrival of Carl Peterson and Derrick Thomas to Kansas 
City marked the resurrection of Lamar Hunt's historic franchise. The 
people of Kansas City loved Derrick Thomas--as a Chief and as a person. 
Carl Peterson, at yesterday's news conference, clearly communicated his 
deep respect and profound joy in his association with Derrick.
  Others expressed themselves eloquently as Kansas City Chiefs fans 
who, visiting the Web site on the Sports Illustrated chat room, left 
remarks about this great football player. The first remark I would like 
to call to your attention is from a fan who calls himself ``Frank L.'' 
In a frank evaluation, perhaps, he put it this way:

       Thanks for everything, D.T. [Derrick Thomas]. You helped 
     bring our city to life and gave us a common cause. While 
     doing that you helped a lot of those less fortunate. Now you 
     are with your father that you always talked about and never 
     knew. Back here in the land of the free and the home of the 
     Chiefs we will never forget you. God bless your soul.

  That line back there, ``in the land of the free and the home of the 
Chiefs,'' is the way they sing the anthem at the stadium. They didn't 
want to say the ``brave,'' so they said the ``Chiefs.'' Derrick knew 
that and enjoyed it.
  Listen to what a fan, called Big58, says. And, of course, we all know 
Derrick was No. 58. He wore that number on his jersey. A fan who 
identified himself as Big58 said:

       I can't believe that Derrick is gone. He was one of my 
     heroes for more than a decade now. Derrick did so much for 
     the Kansas City community and the people here. It wasn't 
     loved in KC because he was such a great athlete. He was loved 
     in KC because of the person he was. The time and money he 
     gave to help the kids of the Kansas City community was 
     enormous. And who can forget his Veterans Day performances 
     dedicated to his father who was killed in Vietnam? They were 
     always D.T. at his best. At least D.T. will have some great 
     company along with our Lord in Heaven. I'll bet he's chasing 
     around Walter Payton right now. And ya know what, Derrick 
     will finally get to spend time with his Dad. We love you 
     and will miss you Derrick. Rest in Peace.

  And finally, not only are Chiefs fans saddened, but others who 
recognized his talents as well. Listen to what Lance Reynolds had to 
say:

       I have been a Raider fan for over 20 years. Derrick Thomas 
     single handedly ruined at least a dozen Sunday afternoons for 
     me; destroying O-tackles, tight-ends and quarterbacks of the 
     Silver & Black. The Raiders-Chiefs rivalry runs deep. Even 
     though, I have found myself pacing the Chiefs sidelines the 
     past couple of weeks avidly cheering for Derrick Thomas' 
     quick recovery. Today I find myself amongst the millions 
     mourning his death. Derrick Thomas, you wickedly ruthless 
     foe, God Bless You! You are already missed!

  From time to time, we are compelled to pause and consider the real 
and lasting value of the things we hold dear. For Missouri football 
fans like me, today is a reminder that, as much as we love the game, it 
is just a game.
  To those to whom we look for examples, we extend our thanks, and we 
give our thanks to Derrick, for he was one who excelled not just on the 
field but inspired us by an example and called us to our highest and 
best.
  Friends such as Derrick Thomas are a rare and special gift to each of 
us. We will miss him. Our prayers are with his family his friends and 
each other as we, his fans, across the Nation and certainly across 
Missouri and Kansas City are saddened by this very substantial loss.
  Thank you, Mr. President.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Allard). The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. GRAMS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. GRAMS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that I be allowed 
to speak for such time as I may consume despite the order.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. GRAMS. I thank the Chair.

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