[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 145 (Tuesday, November 12, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1988]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO EMMITT SMITH

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF MILLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 12, 2002

  Mr. JEFF MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate 
my constituent and the new National Football League's All-Time leading 
rusher, Emmitt Smith.
  On Sunday, October 27, 2002, Emmitt Smith took a handoff and crashed 
through the line for an 11-yard gain, giving him 16,728 career rushing 
yards, breaking the 15-year mark set by the former Chicago Bears great, 
Walter Payton, and establishing him as the most complete running back 
in NFL history.
  At Escambia High School, Emmitt Smith posted some of the state's 
highest career rushing and scoring titles with 8,804 yards, 106 
touchdowns and two state titles. As a senior, Emmitt Smith was an All-
American running back and prep Player of the Year by Parade magazine 
and USA Today. He was also selected as the ``Just Say No'' anti-drug 
campaign's prep football players representative at the White House.
  Being one of the nation's top high school recruits, Emmitt Smith 
decided to stay at home in the Sunshine State and attend the University 
of Florida. In his seventh game as a Gator, he passed the 1,000-yard 
mark faster than any other runner in college football history and led 
the Southeastern Conference in rushing as a freshman with 1,341 yards.
  Following his college career, Emmitt was the 17th pick by the Dallas 
Cowboys in the 1990 NFL draft. Considered too small and too slow by 
critics, he made an impression few other players can equal. Throughout 
his 12-year career, he has established himself as one of the games all-
time greats. He has won three Super Bowl titles, four NFL rushing 
titles and a league and Super Bowl Most Valuable Player award.
  This same man who is impossible to tackle on the football field has 
trounced his biggest adversaries not in the football stadiums across 
the country, but on the streets and neighborhoods of our communities. 
Emmitt Smith is active in the communities of Northwest Florida, 
dedicating his time to aiding youth and children. He hosts the annual 
Feed the Children food drive and is a national spokesman for the ``Take 
a Player to School Program'' and is one of the many supporters of Big 
Brother/Big Sisters and Boys Club of Pensacola.
  On behalf of the United States Congress, I would like to congratulate 
Emmitt Smith, number 22, on his great achievement and offer my sincere 
thanks for his example to the communities of Northwest Florida.

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