[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 62 (Wednesday, April 18, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E783]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO COACH FISHER DEBERRY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DOUG LAMBORN

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 18, 2007

  Mr. LAMBORN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Fisher 
DeBerry, former head coach of the United States Air Force Academy 
football team. During his twenty three years as head coach at the 
Academy, Mr. DeBerry led seventeen teams to winning seasons and twelve 
to bowl games; his career record of 169-107-1 is the best in Academy 
history. Off the field, Mr. DeBerry has made tremendous contributions 
to his community through the Fisher DeBerry Foundation, an organization 
dedicated supporting single mothers and their children by providing 
mentoring and after school programs and funding academic scholarships.
  A high school and college athlete, Mr. DeBerry began his coaching 
career in 1969 as an assistant coach at his alma mater, Wofford College 
in Spartanburg, South Carolina. In 1971 he joined the coaching staff at 
Appalachian State. As a result of his success at these two 
institutions, Mr. DeBerry was hired as offensive coordinator and 
quarterback coach by the Air Force Academy in 1980 and moved on to the 
head coach position four years later. Dominating the Commander in 
Chiefs Trophy Series since its inception in 1972, Mr. DeBerry holds, 
against the Naval and Military Academies, a combined record of 34-8 and 
is the winningest coach in the history of the service academies.
  Mr. DeBerry, a member of the South Carolina and Colorado Springs 
Sports Halls of Fame, holds numerous other awards and distinctions 
including three-time WAC Coach of the Year, the 1985 Paul ``Bear'' 
Bryant award as NCAA College Football Coach of the Year and the 2001 
State Farm Coach of Distinction.
  A man of deep Christian faith and profound humility, Mr. DeBerry has 
participated in fundraising efforts for worthy causes including March 
of Dimes, the Salvation Army, and the American Heart Association. I 
wish to recognize Mr. DeBerry today not only for his impressive 
coaching career which has brought tremendous pride to the Air Force 
Academy and Colorado Springs, but also for his strength of character 
and community service.

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