[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 57 (Tuesday, April 10, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Page S4314]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING COACH EDDIE G. ROBINSON

  Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 143, submitted 
earlier today.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 143) honoring Coach Eddie G. 
     Robinson.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motions to 
reconsider be laid upon the table, and that any statements relating to 
the resolution be printed in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 143) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 143

       Whereas Eddie G. Robinson, the former coach of the 
     Grambling State University Tigers, was born on February 13, 
     1919, in Jackson, Louisiana;
       Whereas after graduating from high school, Eddie G. 
     Robinson attended Leland College in Baker, Louisiana, where 
     he played quarterback on the college's football team and 
     graduated with a baccalaureate of arts degree;
       Whereas in 1941, Eddie G. Robinson accepted a football 
     coaching position at Grambling State University, which, at 
     the time, was known as the Louisiana Negro Normal and 
     Industrial Institute;
       Whereas during his 57-year tenure as the Grambling State 
     University football coach, Eddie G. Robinson established 
     himself as a legend in the world of sports and a Louisiana 
     hero;
       Whereas Eddie G. Robinson broke through the glass ceiling 
     that had always undermined the true potential of African-
     American players and coaches;
       Whereas Eddie G. Robinson won 408 games, which was more 
     games won than any coach before him;
       Whereas Eddie G. Robinson won 17 championships in the 
     Southwestern Athletic Conference;
       Whereas Eddie G. Robinson held the championship title 9 
     times for Historically Black Colleges and Universities;
       Whereas Eddie G. Robinson sent more than 200 players into 
     the National Football League (NFL), including Paul ``Tank'' 
     Younger, who was the first NFL player from a predominantly 
     African-American college and, from then on, Coach Robinson 
     was personally responsible for paving the way for all 
     African-American players to have opportunities in the NFL and 
     others to play at majority White schools;
       Whereas Eddie G. Robinson's achievements are not limited to 
     his athletic victories;
       Whereas Eddie G. Robinson taught his players the meaning of 
     teamwork and patriotism, providing them lessons that extended 
     far beyond the football field;
       Whereas his contributions have also provided for one of the 
     most exciting match-ups in college sports--the Bayou Classic 
     football game, which Eddie G. Robinson and his sports 
     information director, the late Collie J. Nicholson, created; 
     and
       Whereas Eddie G. Robinson was able to serve Grambling State 
     University with such great distinction in large part because 
     of the continuing support of his wife Doris, his two 
     children, Eddie Jr. and Lillian Rose Watkins, his 
     grandchildren, and his great-grandchildren: Now, therefore, 
     be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) notes with deep sorrow and solemn mourning the death of 
     Coach Eddie G. Robinson, a Louisiana hero and a great 
     American;
       (2) extends its heartfelt sympathy to Mrs. Doris Robinson 
     and the family of Eddie G. Robinson; and
       (3) honors and, on behalf of the Nation, expresses deep 
     appreciation for Coach Eddie G. Robinson's outstanding 
     service to Grambling State University, to Louisiana, and to 
     his country.

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