[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 106 (Friday, July 29, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S9456]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO SID HARTMAN

 Mr. COLEMAN. Mr. President, while the Senate is in recess next 
month, a remarkable event will take place in Minnesota, the Sid Hartman 
``Close Personal Friends'' Celebration. It is worth a few moments of 
the Senate's time for me to honor this great Minnesota personality.
  They say that history is just the biography of very significant 
people. Individuals create history with their words, their style, and 
their accomplishments. Sid Hartman never ran a company or held elective 
office. But he has had an impact on Minnesota just by being who he is: 
a hardworking, opinionated, and irrepressible sports journalist for 
more than 50 years.
  Sid's life began the way most great lives start: with humble 
beginnings and hard work. He worked his way up from being a newspaper 
delivery boy, to copy boy to reporter. He helped run the original 
Minneapolis Lakers NBA team. He had a hand in the start of two of 
Minnesota's other major sports franchises: the Twins and the Vikings.
  And to this day, his column appears in the Minneapolis Star Tribune 
every Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and Saturday. It is full of news, 
speculation and prophesies about the world of sports, and everything 
that touches it.
  Sid Hartman's popularity and impact comes from three sources we 
should all tap into:
  First, he works harder than anyone else. He frequently reminisces 
that he develops news stories the way he sold newspapers: start early, 
keep moving and be aggressive.
  Second, he understands the power of relationships. He is a ``Google'' 
of first hand sports information about the main figures of sports over 
the last 50 years. Just mention Bud Grant or Bobby Knight or George 
Steinbrenner or any famous player to him and you get a fascinating 
personal download. He builds and maintains relationships.
  And third, Sid is just who he is: nothing more, nothing less. I don't 
know if Bill Cosby is a ``close personal friend'' but he sure describes 
his life with this quotation: ``I don't know the key to success, but 
the key to failure is trying to please everybody.'' In an era of 
carefully measured words and hypersensitivity, Sid Hartman just speaks 
his mind.
  Half the fun of sports is talking about the games after they are over 
and anticipating them before they begin. Sid has livened up the 
conversation. He has made us laugh, made us angry and some times made 
us wonder where in the world he was coming from. But he always added 
spice to our lives.
  Sid Hartman is being honored on August 7, 2005, in Minneapolis. But 
the event is not about him: it is about bringing people together to 
support the scholarship fund of the University of Minnesota, Sid's 
great love. Despite his sometimes gruff exterior, Sid has a soft spot 
in his heart for the athletes of the U and all Gopher sports. His love 
and support and his encouragement, public and private, has made a big 
difference in hundreds of young lives.
  Growing up, I heard the expression: ``Hearts that are tender and kind 
and tongues that are neither make the finest company of all.'' Sid has 
been great company for thousands of ardent and casual sports fans of 
the Upper Midwest. He has helped make Minnesota the fun, interesting 
place it is today.
  Congratulations, Sid Hartman, for your example and your contribution 
to the quality of life of our State--and Go Gophers!

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