[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 132 (Thursday, October 19, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1855]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                 THE FIRST ANNUAL PARKER-O'QUINN TROPHY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JAY DICKEY

                              of arkansas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 19, 2000

  Mr. DICKEY. Mr. Speaker, on Friday, October 13, 2000, 1 had the honor 
of participating in the presentation of the first annual ``Parker-
O'Quinn Trophy'' to the Fordyce Redbug Football Team. Today, I want to 
honor the great football rivalry between two great South Arkansas 
communities, Fordyce and Warren.
  Out of this rivalry has come people such as Paul ``Bear'' Bryant, 
Larry Lacewell, and other notable leaders and football stars. Out of 
this came the rivalry between two great coaches, Coach Mickey O'Quinn 
and Coach Jimmy ``Red'' Parker.
  The Fordyce/Warren football rivalry has always been a major event in 
South Arkansas. It was never more heated and fierce than during the 
O'Quinn and Parker era. These two coaches were known for their 
competitive and innovative approaches to the great game of football.
  Both Coach Parker and Coach O'Quinn went on to become legends in 
their own fields and in their own time. I can attest personally to the 
feelings of love and affection from those students that played for and 
learned with them. The lessons learned playing for these two great 
coaches last a lifetime: determination, dedication, a willingness to 
work, a strong desire to win, and a spirit of sportsmanship in defeat. 
All of these lessons make for better citizens and better communities. 
South Arkansas is blessed to have had two coaches of this caliber pass 
our way in our time.
  There is an uncommon bond of friendship and respect among the 
players, fans and coaches from the O'Quinn and Parker time; one that 
goes beyond mere competition. Instead it is a bond that symbolizes the 
spirit of the people of South Arkansas.
  Warren and Fordyce are natural rivals but also natural friends. Never 
was this more apparent than in the relationship between two coaches 
that are the most spirited of rivals and the greatest of friends.
  Now, we come to a new era and a renewal of the competitive spirit 
between the two rivals, symbolized by the ``Parker-O'Quinn Trophy''.

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