[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 130 (Friday, October 7, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2061]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      IN HONOR OF COACH SAM MILLS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FRANK PALLONE, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 7, 2005

  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to 
recognize a distinguished athlete from my district, Carolina Panthers' 
Linebacker Coach Sam Mills. Unfortunately, after fighting cancer for 
two years, Mr. Mills passed away on April 18, 2005 at the age of 45.
  Not only did Mr. Mills play in the NFL for twelve seasons, he used 
his expertise to coach the Panthers' linebackers. Sam Mills played his 
first nine seasons with the New Orleans Saints and his last three with 
the Panthers. He earned five Pro Bowl selections, including one while 
playing for Carolina in 1996. Sam was the second member of the Panthers 
Hall of Fame and was elected to the Sports Hall of Fame of New Jersey 
in 2003. Despite injuries to two of his best linebackers last season, 
Coach Mills led his linebacking corps to be an integral part of a 
defense that has ranked in the top ten for the past two seasons.
  John Fox, the head coach of the Carolina Panthers, stated upon Mills' 
passing, ``. . . as a coach he made the players better; as a friend he 
made us all better''.
  I ask my colleagues in the United States House of Representatives to 
join me in acknowledging the life and work of this exceptional 
individual. I wish to honor Coach Sam Mills for his ability to impart 
his skills and intelligence upon his players and for his outstanding 
career as both a professional player and coach.

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