[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 37 (Wednesday, March 29, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E455]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            RECOGNIZING THE LIFE OF WELLINGTON TIMOTHY MARA

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. STEVEN R. ROTHMAN

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 28, 2006

  Mr. ROTHMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary 
life and achievements of Wellington T. Mara, co-owner of the New York 
Football Giants. Mr. Mara will always be remembered for his 
accomplishments with the NFL. However, his legacy extends far beyond 
the gridiron. He was much more than the successful owner of a 
professional football team--he was a community leader, a dedicated 
family patriarch, a devout man of faith, and an outstanding American.
  Wellington Mara was a devoted husband to his wonderful wife Anne, a 
loving father to his eleven children, an adoring grandfather to his 42 
grandchildren, and a role model to all who knew him. When called to 
serve his nation, Wellington did so proudly as a Lieutenant Commander 
in the United States Navy during World War II. Later in life, Mara 
served his community as a member of the board of the Giants Foundation, 
an organization that provides important social and financial support to 
underprivileged youth and their families in the New York/New Jersey 
Metropolitan Area.
  Mr. Mara's foresight helped to turn the NFL into the successful 
American enterprise that it is today. In the early 1960's, Wellington 
and his brother, Jack Mara, as co-owners of the most profitable team in 
the NFL, put the league ahead of their team by agreeing to share 
lucrative television revenue equally among all NFL teams. The current 
success of the NFL is a tribute to the esteemed character and selfless 
sacrifice ofthe Mara brothers. They proved to the NFL and to the nation 
that honorable business practices and teamwork can indeed generate 
great success.
  Mr. Mara was well respected within the Giants organization and 
throughout the NFL. He was extremely loyal to players, coaches, 
employees, and especially the fans. He treated everyone with whom he 
came into contact with great respect. Under Wellington Mara's 
leadership, the Giants appeared in 26 postseasons, won 16 NFL 
divisional championships and 6 NFL championships, including the 
remarkable title runs in 1986 and 1990 (Super Bowls XXI and XXV) that 
captivated the entire New York/New Jersey area. The leadership of 
Wellington Mara made the Giants a wonderful organization that I am 
proud to have in my district.
  Mr. Speaker, I am sure that my colleagues will join with me in 
honoring the life of this exceptional man. We should all be so 
fortunate to leave such a tremendous legacy.

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