[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 64 (Thursday, May 1, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E842]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     HONORING NINE NEW MEMBERS OF THE INDIANA FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME

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                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 1, 2003

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is with great joy and enthusiasm that 
I wish to congratulate the nine new members of the Indiana Football 
Hall of Fame. The 2003 honorees for this prestigious designation 
include: Louie (Lou) Karras, Mike Jennings, Bob Johnson, Larry L. 
Johnson, Keith A. Johnson, John Forchetti, Tom Herbert, Roderick G. 
Moore II, and George Pappas. These men have shown a commitment to high 
school and collegiate football programs across Northwest Indiana, and 
they will be honored at a reception on May 18, 2003 in Merrillville, 
Indiana.
  Mr. Speaker, Lou Karras graduated from Gary Emerson High School in 
1945 after earning All-State honors for three years. He went on to have 
an outstanding career at Purdue University from 1946-1950. As a senior, 
he was chosen as the Most Valuable Player and was selected to play in 
the East-West Game, the Hula Bowl, and in the Chicago All-Star game 
against the Philadelphia Eagles. He started for the Washington Redskins 
as a rookie before an eye injury cut his career short. Lou's mother is 
the only woman inducted into the National Football League Hall of Fame 
for raising three NFL players: Lou Karras, Alex Karras, and Ted Karras. 
After his playing career, Lou served as President of the Purdue Alumni 
Association in Lake County, Indiana. He also presided as the Democratic 
City Chairman in Gary, Indiana, as well as President of the Gary City 
Common Council.
  Mike Jennings attended Gary Wirt High School and excelled in 
football, basketball, and track. He graduated in 1957 having earned 
All-City, All-Conference, and All-State honors. He went on to attend 
Southwestern Missouri University, where he was a four-year letter 
winner and a three year starter as a fullback and linebacker. He also 
attended Texas A&M, where he honed his skills under the legendary coach 
Paul ``Bear'' Bryant. After his playing career, Mike became the head 
coach at Chesterton High School, where he amassed a record of 95-81-1 
in 18 seasons.
  Bob Johnson was an outstanding football player for Valparaiso High 
School until his graduation in 1976. He was named the Most Valuable 
Player in 1975, and was named to the Duneland All-Conference Team, the 
All-Area Team, and the All-State Team in 1974 and 1975. Bob's 
excellence on the field also earned him a position on the North-South 
All Star Team in 1976. After high school, Bob attended Manchester 
College, where he was named to the All-Conference Team in 1978, 1979, 
and 1980. He was also named an NAIA All-American in 1980, and was named 
the Most Valuable Player for that season.
  Larry L. Johnson was a standout at Munster High School in football, 
wrestling, and track. By the time he graduated in 1970, he had been 
named the captain of his football and wrestling team. He was named to 
the All-Conference Team in football, as well as the 1st Team All-State. 
He also played in the North-South All-Star game. He attended the 
University of Michigan, where he was a four-year letterman and was 
awarded the Arthur Robinson Award for Most Outstanding Student Athlete 
on the football squad. In 1975 he was awarded the prestigious Fielding 
Yost Award.
  Keith A. Johnson attended Munster High School and was a three-year 
letterman. He was awarded All-Star honors in 1971 as a defensive back 
while leading his team as a captain. He went on to attend the 
University of Michigan, where he was a three-year letterman at wide 
receiver. His team was named the Big Ten Conference Co-Champion in 
1973-1974, and he was a participant in the Orange Bowl on New Year's 
Day in 1976.
  John Forchetti has been the team physician for Chesterton High School 
for over 37 years. He graduated from Villanova University in 1958 and 
Jefferson Medical School in 1962. He served as a medical doctor for the 
United States Navy from 1963 to 1965, when he began his career as the 
Trojan's team physician.
  Tom Herbert graduated from Gary's Lou Wallace High School in 1965 and 
went on to attend Ball State University. Considered the dean of Big Ten 
officials, Tom has been with the prestigious conference for 25 years, 
and has officiated in ten bowl games. His most recent game was the 
Holiday Bowl in San Diego on December 27, 2002.
  Roderick Moore has spent his career as an athletic trainer with the 
Valparaiso community. He was the athletic trainer for all of the high 
schools and junior high schools in Valparaiso from 1972-1976. He was 
associated with the 1975 State Championship Team and the 1985 State 
Runner-up Team. He is currently the head athletic trainer for his alma 
mater, Valparaiso University, and was a charter member of the Indiana 
Athletic Trainers Association.
  George Pappas played high school football for Hammond High School and 
was twice selected as an All-State player. In 1960, George was chosen 
as a High School All-American. He played on two undefeated teams, and 
in four years his teams lost a total of two games. He was named the 
Most Outstanding Lineman in 1959 and 1960. George went on to attend 
Purdue University, where he was selected by his teammates as the Most 
Valuable Player and Outstanding Freshman Lineman. After his playing 
career, George became a Graduate Assistant at Purdue from 1965-1966. He 
was an assistant coach at North Central High School in 1969, and he 
became the head coach at North Central in 1975. During his 17 years as 
head coach, George compiled an impressive record of 126-53.
  Mr. Speaker, at this time I ask that you and my other distinguished 
colleagues join me in congratulating these nine men for their 
achievements within the Indiana football system. Their success serves 
as an inspiration to those involved in Indiana athletics, and our youth 
can be proud to have them as role models after whom to pattern their 
careers.

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