[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 37 (Wednesday, March 5, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E304]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          TRIBUTE TO MIKE ADAMS, GERALD HAYS, AND MARCEL SHIPP

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BILL PASCRELL, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 5, 2008

   Mr. PASCRELL. Madam Speaker, I would like to call your attention the 
lives of three fellow natives of my hometown, Paterson, New Jersey, 
Mike Adams, Gerald Hayes, and Marcel Shipp, who will be honored this 
evening by the Murph Boys Charitable Association, not only for their 
impressive athletic achievements, but for all they have done for others 
in need.
   Each of these men began his journey in Paterson, New Jersey, and 
attended the same high school, Passaic County Technical Institute, 
PCTI, in Wayne.
   In his career at PCTI, Adams earned all-state honors, as well as 
all-area and all-county, and was chosen as one of the top 100 players 
in New Jersey. He was outgoing and well-rounded, also lettering in 
track and baseball. He is remembered at PCTI for his tenacity and 
perseverance, overcoming many obstacles to succeed. He took this ``can-
do'' attitude to the University of Delaware, where he started 23 of 43 
career games, and posted 213 tackles, 11 interceptions, and 14 PBU, and 
ranks 11th in school history in interceptions. He entered the NFL in 
2004 as an undrafted free agent and signed with the San Francisco 
49ers. He made his NFL debut in November 2004 and by the next year 
appeared in 14 games. In 2005 he started 10 games, posting 68 tackles, 
a sack, a forced fumble, and tied for the team lead with four 
interceptions. In 2006 he started eight games and played in all 16, 
recording 67 tackles, three PBU, and 12 special teams tackles. After 3 
years in San Francisco he signed as a free agent with the Cleveland 
Browns, recording 29 tackles, a sack, and two PBU in 2007 before a knee 
injury placed him on injured reserve.
   During his time as a PCTI Bulldog, Gerald Hayes impressed coaches 
from the start and was a 4-year varsity player. He was a dominating 
player on the field, and off the field, won numerous awards in fine 
arts, and his pencil drawings were displayed in galleries throughout 
the State. He went on to play college football at Pittsburgh, and was a 
three-time first-team all-Big East selection. His career statistics at 
Pittsburgh include 387 tackles, 13.5 sacks, nine pass deflections, and 
two interceptions. He was chosen in the third round of the 2003 draft 
by the Cardinals, and by 2004 he saw action in every 2004 game, and was 
poised to start in 2005 before suffering a season-ending injury in the 
preseason. He made his return in 2006, starting 14 games, leading the 
team in tackles with 111, despite missing the last two games with an 
injury. He had another successful season in 2007, with 98 tackles, four 
sacks, an interception, and three passes deflected.
   Shipp was a quiet unassuming leader while at PCTI. He knew what he 
wanted to achieve and worked hard to reach his goal. He was an all-
state selection as a senior, running for 1,510 yards and 24 touchdowns 
on 172 carries. Shipp then played 1 year at Milford Academy Prep, 
gaining 3,239 yards and 42 touchdowns on 429 carries. He then went on 
to the University of Massachusetts and is one of the school's most 
decorated athletes. He was the 6th ranked rusher in the history of NCAA 
Division 1-AA, with 5,383 yards. He gained over 100 yards 33 times, 
including 7 200-yard efforts. He holds UMass career records with 1,215 
carries for 6,250 yards, 58 touchdowns, 378 points, and 7,759 all 
purpose yards. He signed in 2001 with the Arizona Cardinals as an 
undrafted free agent and as a rookie played in 10 games. He ended 2002 
with 1,247 total yards, on 226 touches, a 5.5-yard average that was 2nd 
in the NFC. In 2003 he shared running back duties with Emmitt Smith 
until an injury sidelined Smith, and Shipp started the final 11 games. 
He gained 830 yards on 228 carries. He was the first Cardinal since 
1992 to log back-to-back 100-yard games. He missed the 2004 season with 
an injury, but came back in 2005 to lead the team in rushing with 451 
yards on 157 attempts. In 2006 he finished the season with four rushing 
touchdowns in the final four games and became the first Cardinal to 
rush for three touchdowns in one game since 1998.
   What is most special about these three men is not what they achieve 
on the field, but what they do off of it. They all dedicate time and 
financial support to help those who are in need through charitable 
endeavors. Never taking their success for granted, they look for ways 
to make their communities a better place to live.
   The job of a United States Congressman involves much that is 
rewarding, yet nothing compares to being able to recognize the 
charitable community efforts of Americans like Mr. Adams, Mr. Hayes, 
and Mr. Shipp.
   Madam Speaker, I ask that you join our colleagues, everyone at 
Passaic County Technical Institute, all those who have been touched by 
the generosity of these men, and me in recognizing the outstanding 
contributions of Mike Adams, Gerald Hayes, and Marcel Shipp to their 
communities.

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