[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 77 (Monday, June 19, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1037]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING PRO FOOTBALL GREAT MICHAEL GREEN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. CHRISTOPHER COX

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 19, 2000

  Mr. COX. Mr. Speaker, 15 years ago, our colleague from California, 
Mr. Badham, who represented Newport Beach before I had that honor, rose 
in this chamber to commemorate the 10th Anniversary of an important 
community event in Orange County. The event was premised on the 
``simple act of doing something nice for someone for no reason.'' 
Today, 25 years after the people of Orange County first decided to do 
something nice for someone for no reason, I'm pleased to report that 
``Irrelevant Week'' and Orange County altruism are both thriving.
  Irrelevant Week XXV is honoring Michael Green, from Northwestern 
State in Louisiana, who was selected 254th in the NFL draft. He is 
headed for the Chicago Bears, where--at six feet tall and 189 pounds--
he will have trouble eclipsing the legend of Refrigerator Perry. Such 
long odds do not dampen the enthusiasm of community leaders like Paul 
Salata, who put this all together. That's because they recognize that 
all fame is fleeting, that humility is a virtue, and that even the 
last-round NFL draft pick is a significantly better athlete that most 
Members of Congress.
  Today, my colleague Mr. Rohrabacher shares with me the honor of 
representing the City of Newport Beach, and he joins me in 
congratulating all of those involved in this celebration, which has 
now, we can all agree, outgrown its name--for there is little in this 
world today that is more relevant to our spirit of community and our 
common humanity than doing nice things for other people. On behalf of 
the United States Congress and the people of Orange County whom it is 
my privilege to represent, congratulations to everyone associated with 
Irrelevant Week XXV, for being more relevant than you care to admit.

                          ____________________