[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 134 (Friday, October 11, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1832]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                IN RECOGNITION OF EDWIN ``MAX'' KURLAND

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. WILLIAM O. LIPINSKI

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 10, 2002

  Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate my friend and 
very first coach, Edwin ``Max'' Kurland, on being awarded the Saint 
Patrick Academy Crystal Shamrock Award for his dedication as a coach 
and teacher, his loyalty to his many friends, and his devotion to the 
Christian Brothers ministry. Max is truly the heart of the St. Patrick 
Academy Community.
  Edwin ``Max'' Kurland was born and raised the youngest of three 
children on the west side of Chicago. He attended Blessed Sacrament 
Elementary School and the Quigley Seminary before receiving a sociology 
degree from Loyola University in 1954. After a tour in the United 
States Army, he began his career at Blessed Sacrament.
  I first met Max in 1951 when I was in seventh grade at Blessed 
Sacrament School. That was the year I was selected by Max to play on 
the ``Blessed Sacrament 16'' Softball team. He was a great coach and 
teacher, not only for sports, but also for everyday living.
  Affectionately nicknamed ``Max'', he joined the St. Patrick faculty 
in 1954 as an assistant to Coach Dick Triptow. When Triptow left in 
1959, Max began his career as head basketball coach that would span 
over thirty-five years.
  With 653 wins, he ranks as one of the top ten coaches in Illinois 
history. Max was named East Suburban Catholic Conference Coach of the 
Year three times while winning ten conference championships, eleven 
State Regional titles, and one Sectional championship. His teams also 
won fourteen Thanksgiving Tourneys, two Chicagoland Prep Tourneys and 
six Christmas Tournament titles. Max was inducted into the Illinois 
Basketball Hall of Faine in 1980 as well as the Chicago Catholic League 
Coaches Hall of Fame in 1994. To top off his prestigious career, Coach 
Kurland became a charter member of the Shamrock Hall of Faine in 1995.
  Outside of basketball, Max has been recognized by the Christian 
Brothers, receiving the LaSallian Award in 1982 and the Signum Fiedei 
Award in 1994.
  Mr. Speaker, Max Kurland has been a devoted coach and teacher and he 
continues to serve the community through his leadership. I would ask 
that my colleagues join me in honoring this truly dedicated and 
courageous man.

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