[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 45 (Thursday, March 20, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S4160]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING DR. GEORGE V. IRONS, SR.'S INDUCTION INTO THE ALABAMA MEN'S 
                              HALL OF FAME

 Mr. SESSIONS. I rise today to honor Dr. George V. Irons, Sr.'s 
induction into the Alabama Men's Hall of Fame. Dr. Irons was 
Distinguished Professor of History and Political Science at Samford 
University for 43 years and a prominent civic leader. As a professor, 
he taught 17 students who became university presidents--a record in 
American education.
  Dr. Irons was also one of Alabama's true athletic greats--the only 
University of Alabama track field athlete ever inducted into the 
prestigious Alabama Sports Hall of Fame. He is also the only person 
inducted by both Alabama Sports Hall of Fame and the Alabama Men's Hall 
of Fame.
  While a student at the University of Alabama, he was spotted by Coach 
Hank Crisp running across the campus because he was late to class. 
Coach Crisp promptly put him on the track team where he set a 
collegiate record the first time he pulled on a Crimson Tide uniform. 
Remarkably, his records still stand today.
  Before the days of the million-dollar band at major football games, 
halftime entertainment consisted of a sport called road racing. After 
laps in the stadium runners would speed over a hill-and-dale course, 
about 4 miles, finishing as the halftime show. In this realm, his feats 
have been heralded by as the greatest of his era.
  The Men's Hall of Fame was created by the Alabama Legislature in 1987 
to honor posthumously those men who in their chosen professions have 
made national and international impact for the betterment of humanity. 
Past inductees include some of America's most distinguished leaders: 
Warner Von Braun, famed scientist who developed rockets which propelled 
American astronauts to the Moon; George Washington Carver, botanist who 
mutated plants to create vital food sources throughout the South; and 
James A. ``Brother'' Bryan, who gave sacrificially to fellow Alabamians 
during some of the severest economic times.
  Its most recent inductee, Dr. Irons, joined the Howard College (now 
Samford University) staff in 1933, the depth of the Great Depression. 
On his first day the College President asked him to report to the bank 
to try to stop mortgage foreclosure on the school. At this time, the 
school owed over a half million dollars. Dr. Irons' personality and 
persuasion on behalf of the college won the day, saving the school from 
foreclosure. During difficult economic times, he often taught for the 
salary of an IOU and in his spare time he coached the college track 
team and fired the dorm furnace.
  In 1962 he received Freedom Foundation's George Washington Medal of 
Honor for his speech: ``Freedom, America's Weapon of Might.'' It was 
broadcast worldwide on the U.S. Armed Forces Network. He was the first 
Alabamians to win this award. He also distinguished himself through 
military service in World War II and was a respected leader in civic, 
social, and professional organizations.
  Dr. Irons was elected to the Alabama Men's Hall of Fame as the 
representative of the entire 20th Century. J.L.M. Curry, former 
Congresswoman and ambassador whose statue as one of Alabama's two 
representatives in the Capitol's Statuary Hall collection, was elected 
for the nineteenth century.
  It is good this revered Hall of Fame honors those heroes who 
celebrate the best of our past. I am hopeful that Dr. Irons' life as an 
athlete, university educator, military serviceman, and community leader 
will continue to serve as an inspiration for future 
generations.

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