[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 70 (Tuesday, May 1, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5400-S5401]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SENATE RESOLUTION 181--HONORING AND RECOGNIZING THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE 
UNITED STATES AIR FORCE ACADEMY FOOTBALL PROGRAM OVER THE LAST 27 YEARS

  Mr. ALLARD (for himself, Mr. Pryor, and Mr. Craig) submitted the 
following resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 181

       Whereas, Fisher DeBerry, originally of Cheraw, South 
     Carolina, coached football at the United States Air Force 
     Academy for 27 years, 23 of which as head coach;
       Whereas, Fisher DeBerry is the winningest head coach of any 
     United States service academy with a record of 169-109-1;
       Whereas, Fisher DeBerry has amassed a 35-11 record against 
     the United States Military Academy and the United States 
     Naval Academy, and led the U.S. Air Force Academy to 14 of 
     its 16 Commander-in-Chief Trophy titles;
       Whereas, Fisher DeBerry led his Air Force teams to 3 
     conference championships and 12 bowl games;
       Whereas, Fisher DeBerry has been recognized numerous times 
     for his coaching success, including selection as National 
     Coach of the Year for 1985; selection 3 times as Western 
     Athletic Conference Coach of the Year; induction into the 
     South Carolina Sports Hall of Fame; induction into the 
     Colorado Springs Sports Hall of Fame; induction into the 
     Independence Bowl Hall of Fame; the 2001 State Farm Coach of 
     Distinction honor; an honorary doctorate of humanities from 
     Wofford College; service as president of the American 
     Football Coaches Association (AFCA); and service as Chairman 
     of the AFCA ethics committee;
       Whereas, Fisher DeBerry has acted as a pillar of the 
     Colorado Springs, Colorado, community during the past 27 
     years through his active involvement and volunteerism with 
     local church, charity, and community organizations;
       Whereas, in 2004 Fisher DeBerry founded the Fisher DeBerry 
     Foundation, which is dedicated to the support and education 
     of single mothers and their children, as well as other 
     charitable causes;
       Whereas, Fisher DeBerry has served as a positive influence 
     and role model to numerous future Air Force officers, 
     including coaching 3,375 players; having a graduation success 
     rate of 91.6 percent among his players; and producing 19 All-
     American players, 124 All-Conference players, 11 Academic 
     All-Americans, and 9 Postgraduate Scholarship winners;
       Whereas, Fisher DeBerry imparted to his players the core 
     values of the United States Air Force: Integrity First, 
     Service Before Self, and Excellence In All We Do; and
       Whereas, the United States Air Force Academy football 
     program under the leadership of Fisher DeBerry has served as 
     an example of these values for its community and the entire 
     Nation: Now, therefore, be it

[[Page S5401]]

       Resolved, That the United States Senate honors and 
     recognizes the numerous contributions made by the United 
     States Air Force Academy football program over the last 27 
     years to Colorado Springs and the surrounding communities, 
     the United States Air Force Academy, and the United States 
     Air Force.

                          ____________________