[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 106 (Friday, July 29, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S9454]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO DUANE JOHNSON

 Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. President, I first met Duane Johnson when he 
came on the baseball field at Wilcox County High School in 1965. We 
were a small school. I was a senior in a class of 30 and Duane, a 
junior, had just moved to town. Though we had a competitive team, 
winning our division of the Black Belt Conference that year, we were 
not particularly talented. While we knew a good bit about baseball, we 
had not grown up as kids do today, playing well-coached and competitive 
baseball from elementary school on up. Duane, however, impressed us at 
once with his skill and knowledge of the game. I liked the way he 
handled first base and he could hit too. More importantly, he was never 
showy but played within himself. We were impressed and liked him.
  That was quite a few years ago and we have not seen one another 
since, I don't think. So it was with real pleasure that I read that my 
old teammate, now the head coach of Patrician Academy in Butler, 
Alabama, had just completed a sterling season with a 25-7 record, 
winning the AISA State Championship. Further, Duane was named AISA 
``Coach of the Year''. He has been the head coach at Patrician for 20 
years and has been a part of 6 state championships as a Saint. This 
year's team produced two All-State players, Bo Meeks and Brent Bonner, 
and an honorable mention, Brandon Mosely. Quick to give credit to 
others, Duane praised assistant coach Jim Archibald to the Choctaw Sun 
saying, ``We couldn't have done it without him.'' After graduating from 
Wilcox County High School in 1966, Duane attended Livingston 
University, now the University of West Alabama, where he played 
baseball. He is married to the former Nara Gyles, a Choctaw County 
native, and has three children. Typical of so many of Alabama's 
teachers and coaches, Duane was a member of the Alabama National Guard 
and was a veteran of ``Desert Storm''. Our country is deeply indebted 
those civilians who serve in the Guard and Reserve and who are prepared 
to respond when called upon. Coaches mean a lot to young people and I 
know that the consistent record of success that Duane has had at 
Patrician demonstrates his ability to positively impact these young 
people. All over this country, coaches give their time and attention to 
boys and girls, introducing them to the thrill of victory and the agony 
of defeat. More importantly, they teach them teamwork. Teamwork is a 
very important strength of Americans. We have the ability to quickly 
organize ourselves and function as one whether in business or combat. 
Such character traits are largely developed on the athletic field. 
Great teamwork comes from great coaches.
  Let me close by giving my sincerest congratulations to Coach Johnson 
and his state championship Saints. They have had a most memorable 
season and they will be able to savor their achievement for the rest of 
their lives.

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