[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 91 (Wednesday, June 27, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1227]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     REMARKS HONORING FORMER DALLAS COWBOYS QUARTERBACK TROY AIKMAN

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KAY GRANGER

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 27, 2001

  Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Speaker, I want to commend NFL quarterback Troy 
Aikman on his very successful football career, and extend my gratitude 
for his steadfast dedication to improving the lives of children. Mr. 
Aikman has more than equaled his professional career with his personal 
involvement in the community. His character both on and off the field 
has been a tremendous asset to the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
  Troy Aikman was born in West Covina, California. His family moved to 
Henryetta, Oklahoma where he graduated from Henryetta High School. 
Aikman went on to play college football at the University of Oklahoma 
and the University of California, Los Angeles. He quickly became a 
star. Upon Mr. Aikman's graduation, he was the third highest rated 
quarterback in NCAA history. He also won the highest award for college 
quarterbacks, the Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award.
  When Mr. Aikman was drafted in the first round by the Cowboys, he 
quickly became the leader of the team and an integral part of the 
Dallas-Fort Worth community. During his 12 seasons with the Cowboys, 
Mr. Aikman led them to three Super Bowl Championships and played in six 
Pro Bowls. He was named Super Bowl XXVII Most Valuable Player for his 
performance in the Cowboy's first Super Bowl of the 1990's. Mr. Aikman 
is also the Cowboy's all-time leader in passing yards, touchdown 
passes, completion percentage, pass attempts and completions. The 
Cowboys will surely miss his talent and leadership.
  Mr. Aikman has devoted himself to helping critically ill children. In 
1992, he established The Troy Aikman Foundation to provide financial 
support for the physical, psychological, social, and educational needs 
of critically ill children whose needs are not being met by any other 
viable resource. Through the Foundation, Mr. Aikman created ``Aikman's 
End Zones'' for children's hospitals. ``Aikman's End Zones'' are 
interactive playrooms and theaters designed to give critically ill 
children a place of refuge during their stays in the hospital. 
Depending on the space available, the facility includes an 8-foot-tall 
replica of Troy's helmet, a 1,100 gallon saltwater aquarium, a theater, 
and an interactive computer network. Mr. Aikman established End Zones 
at The Children's Hospital of Dallas, Texas and at Cook Children's 
Medical Center in Fort Worth, Texas. His ultimate goal is to have 
Aikman's End Zones in every NFL city.
  Mr. Aikman has also teamed up with the Starbright Foundation, founded 
by Stephen Spielberg and General H. Norman Schwarzkopf. The Starbright 
Foundation's mission is to improve the lives of critically ill children 
through technology and entertainment. Starbright provides the 
interactive computer network in ``Aikman's End Zones.''
  In addition to his foundation activities, Mr. Aikman has served on 
the board of Stars for Children and has been honorary chairman for 
numerous charitable fundraisers throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area. 
Mr. Aikman sponsors a scholarship at Henryetta High School for students 
who want to attend college but can't afford it, and has also 
established a permanently endowed scholarship at the University of 
California, Los Angeles. In 1994, Aikman was honored for his community 
service when he received the Byron ``Whizzer'' White Humanitarian 
Award.
  Mr. Aikman has also become a children's book author. In 1995 he 
published his first book titled Things Change. The message of the book 
is how to use change to one's advantage and view difficult times as 
learning experiences rather than as setbacks. In 1998, he published a 
second book called Aikman: Mind, Body & Soul which is his 
autobiography.
  Troy Aikman continues to give unselfishly to our community, and we 
are grateful for the work he has done. He is the perfect example of 
what a terrific role model professional athletes can be if they use the 
fame and wealth they have been blessed with in a positive way.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to once again congratulate Troy Aikman on a 
wonderful football career and thank him for his unwavering dedication 
to improving the lives of children.

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