[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 109 (Tuesday, September 14, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1615]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        IN PRAISE OF SAM BUDNYK

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MARK FOLEY

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 14, 2004

  Mr. FOLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to praise Sam Budnyk, a remarkable 
coach in South Florida who is retiring this year as head football coach 
for the Cardinal Newman High School Crusaders in West Palm Beach.
  After 43 years as the school's only head football coach ever, Coach 
Budnyk has decided to retire his position. He also coached men's 
basketball and women's softball and track over the course of his 
career.
  As first coach and athletic director, Coach Budnyk was responsible 
for pushing both minority and women's rights in high school athletics 
in Palm Beach County.
  In 1965, he hired the first African-American assistant football coach 
to work at a private school in the state. By 1967, he was the first 
coach in the county in an all-white high school to have a football game 
against the all-black John F. Kennedy High School. In 1973, he was 
recognized by the National Organization for Women for allowing the 
first girl in Palm Beach County to run varsity track.
  Not only have his victories been represented on the playing field, 
they also have resonated through the student-athletes who went on to 
various college institutions on scholarships and completed their 
education successfully. As the winningest coach in Palm Beach County 
history, Coach Budnyk was responsible for sending at least three of his 
Crusader football players to the NFL.
  Sam Budnyk is a legend in his own time among all those who have met 
him, learned from him, became better people because of him--including 
my own father, who had the honor of serving as his assistant coach in 
football, baseball, basketball and track in the late '60s.
  Sam Budnyk will still contribute at Cardinal Newman by remaining its 
athletic director and by teaching there. But his presence on the 
football field will be missed.
  I would like to congratulate and thank him for all his selfless years 
of giving that have affected countless Newman graduates.

                          ____________________