[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 12 (Wednesday, February 4, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E108-E109]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING THE RETIREMENT OF VAN MILLER, THE VOICE OF THE BUFFALO 
                                 BILLS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JACK QUINN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 4, 2004

  Mr. QUINN. Mr. Speaker, all good things must come to an end, and it 
is with both sadness and great respect that we acknowledge the end of 
Van Miller's remarkable career as the announcer for the Buffalo Bills. 
At 76 years of age, Mr. Miller has been the most devoted and longest-
tenured broadcaster in the history of the National Football League. He 
began his distinguished career with the Bills on July 30, 1960, 
commenting for an exhibition game against the Boston Patriots. For the 
following 37 years, Mr. Miller lent his voice to the Buffalo Bills and 
their loyal fans, creating a steadfast following with the phenomenon 
known as Vandemonium.
  As the play-by-play announcer for the Bills, Mr. Miller articulated 
their decades of both triumphs and defeats, displaying his love for the 
game and the team through good times and bad. He is renowned not only 
for his professionalism in the booth, but also for his enthusiastic 
announcing. The excitement of the fans matched his own exhilaration at 
watching his favorite team play.
  The lead commentator for Super Bowl XXV between the Bills and the New 
York Giants, Mr. Miller was the voice of professionalism in announcing 
the Giants' victory over his beloved Bills. Though a devastating moment 
for the team, Mr. Miller made the call with poise and calm, ably 
performing his announcing duties while displaying the utmost respect 
for both teams. It is this dedication to his job and team that explains 
why Buffalo may be the only city in the world where football fans turn 
down the volume on their televisions and turn up their radios when a 
Bills game is on.
  Van Miller is more than a voice, however. As beloved as he is for his 
football commentary, his friendly presence and genuine care for the 
team and fans touches the entire Buffalo community. When Bills fans 
tuned in to Mr. Miller, they felt as though they were listening to a 
good friend. As John Murphy says of

[[Page E109]]

his colleague, ``It's like Van's a member of every fan's family.'' His 
name and voice have become intertwined with the world of Buffalo Bills 
football, and it is no surprise that Mr. Miller was inducted into the 
Buffalo Broadcasting Hall of Fame in 1999. In fact, after his 752nd and 
final Bills broadcast, Mr. Miller's equipment was sent to the Pro 
Football Hall of Fame in Ohio, commemorating both the field of play-by-
play broadcasting and the man who left an invaluable and indelible mark 
upon it. We will surely miss his presence on the field and on the air 
this coming season, but we know his contributions to Buffalo will 
continue for years to come.

                          ____________________