[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 136 (Tuesday, September 30, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1933]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO THE LIFE OF RON BURTON

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DAVID L. HOBSON

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 30, 2003

  Mr. HOBSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the life of 
Mr. Ron Burton, who passed away on September 13, 2003 in Massachusetts 
after a long battle with bone marrow cancer. As a long-time resident of 
Springfield, I can honestly say almost everyone in the city knew of Ron 
Burton, since he was one of the greatest athletes the city has ever 
produced.
  Ron Burton's legacy extends beyond the 4,249 all-purpose yards and 19 
touchdowns he amassed in 69 games with the New England Patriots. Burton 
was a two-time All-American at Northwestern University, but, as was 
noted recently in the Boston Globe, he was a Hall of Famer off the 
field by virtue of his postcareer philanthropic endeavors.
  After their September 14th victory over the Philadelphia Eagles, the 
Patriots dedicated the game ball to Mr. Burton's memory. The Patriots 
also recently established the Ron Burton Community Service Award, which 
annually recognizes the player who makes the greatest impact in the New 
England community.
  Mr. Burton was a Shriner, a Mason, and an Eagle Scout. He was a high-
school All-American, a collegiate All-American and a member of the 
Northwestern University Hall of Fame. After his professional football 
career ended, Ron became an executive with the John Hancock Mutual Life 
Insurance Company and a motivational speaker.
  In 1985, Mr. Burton purchased over 300 acres of land in Hubbardston, 
Massachusetts and founded the Ron Burton Training Village, a sports 
camp for inner-city, underprivileged children. The camp not only trains 
youngsters physically and academically but also teaches them the value 
of love, peace, patience and humility. More than 2,000 youngsters have 
attended the camp, and have become better citizens as a result, many of 
whom have gone on to attend prestigious colleges such as Yale, Harvard 
and the Air Force and Naval academies.
  Mr. Burton said he wanted to open his training village ``as a place 
where everyone loves one another.''
  Former Springfield mayor Bob Burton, who was Ron's brother, recently 
said, ``Ron never forgot the town from which he came. He had a strong 
love for Springfield, unlike others who have gone away and had success. 
He never forgot his hometown and the church to which he belonged.''
  Ron is survived by his wife, Jo Ann. They have five children, all of 
whom graduated from Northwestern University.
  As the Congressman who represents Springfield in the U.S. House of 
Representatives, I offer my sincere condolences to the family of Ron 
Burton and pay tribute to his lifetime of achievements and his lasting 
legacy as an outstanding role model and citizen.

                          ____________________