[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 135 (Tuesday, October 15, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1869]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     PAYING TRIBUTE TO JACK VALLELY

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                           HON. SCOTT McINNIS

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 15, 2002

  Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Jack Vallely 
of Newton, Massachusetts--a man who lives his life with a selflessness 
and unmatched dedication that have made him an inspiration to countless 
others. As Jack celebrates his eighty-third birthday later this month, 
I would like to join with his friends, family and former players in 
congratulating him on this milestone and in wishing him all the best in 
the many years to come.
  Jack was born on Halloween Day back in 1919 in Waltham, 
Massachusetts--one year after his beloved Red Sox last won the World 
Series! The oldest of seven children, Jack learned responsibility at a 
young age, making sacrifices to help his mother Mary take care of his 
brothers and sisters after the tragic death of their father from an 
illness brought on by his work in the local watch factory. Holding odd 
jobs to help replace his father's lost income, Jack found recreation on 
Waltham's local basketball courts and baseball diamonds. He was an avid 
participant in many sports back then, a passion that he would 
eventually turn into his life's work.
  In 1948, Jack took a job as the head baseball coach at Curry College 
in Milton, Massachusetts, a position he would hold for the next fifty-
one years. Over that time, Vallely would build an impressive record of 
accomplishments, with over 700 wins and nearly a .730 winning 
percentage. However, with Coach Vallely it was never about the game's 
statistics; the only statistic that mattered to him was that in all of 
his 51 years at Curry College virtually all of Coach Vallely's players 
have graduated. As Jack likes to say, ``the people are what I remember 
. . . The yardstick isn't numbers, it's how much the kids have 
improved, how much have you helped them physically and mentally. How 
much good have you done.'' It is for this attitude, and his impressive 
record of accomplishments, that Collegiate Baseball recognized Vallely 
as the NCAA Division III ``Coach of the Century'' in 1998. And it is 
for this approach to sports, and life, that I wish to bring Jack 
Vallely to the attention of my colleagues here today.
  In February of 1999, on the eve of his record fifty-second season at 
the helm of the Curry College Colonels, Jack was struck with a major 
stroke that paralyzed his right side and hindered his speech. The hard 
work and dedication that Vallely exhibited throughout his coaching 
career--never missing a game or practice in over 51 years--has carried 
over into his stirring recovery effort. The progress he has made in 
regaining the functionality lost due to the stroke has been 
significant. The determination with which Jack has tackled this 
challenge so late in life has been inspirational.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to bring the powerful example of Jack Vallely 
to the attention of this body of Congress and our nation. Jack 
Vallely's grandson, Jason Reese, serves as one of my legislative 
assistants, and it is through their devoted relationship that I have 
learned of the obvious character, compassion and love with which Jack 
has led his life. I am proud to join with family, friends and 
generations of former players in wishing Coach Vallely a very happy 
83rd birthday.

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