[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 130 (Friday, August 1, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1702]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING BOB O'CONNELL

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MARCY KAPTUR

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, August 1, 2008

  Ms. KAPTUR. Madam Speaker, today, I would like to recognize the 
legacy contributions of a great father, grandfather, athlete, teacher, 
and coach Mr. Bob O'Connell of Toledo, Ohio. Recently, Bob was 
acknowledged by a wonderful story published in the Toledo Blade tracing 
his many accomplishments. Our entire community applauds him for his 
life's achievements, and thanks him.
  Bob has taught and mentored thousands and thousands of young athletes 
across our community in his chosen sport of tennis. For 21 years, he 
coached students at Rogers and Ottawa Hills High Schools during the 
regular school year and summer. Truly, he has been a teacher's teacher 
and a coaches' coach and has been recognized in the Ohio High School 
Tennis Coaches Hall of Fame. Bob also taught history and worked to 
develop his students as well-rounded persons who are both academically 
and physically fit. I can personally attest to his skill and patience 
having been one of his many students so many years ago. Bob taught not 
just the skills of tennis and endurance, but also what it meant to be a 
good sport. He held his racket with distinction, kept focus, and airily 
breezed across the court with an ease that demonstrated this indeed was 
his sport.
  Bob raised another generation of O'Connell's who follow in his 
footsteps, his son Kevin, Sr., was the No. 1 singles player for 3 years 
at St. Francis and earned a scholarship to college as a result. Now his 
children, Kevin Jr. achieved rank as an All-City League first team 
player all 4 years as a high school and Kelly O'Connell was the No. 1 
singles player at St. Ursula for 3 years.
  It is hard to place an adequate value on a man who has played such a 
significant father-figure role not just to his family but to our 
community, using his teaching and coaching abilities to rear the next 
generation. I feel personally honored to have been coached by Bob 
O'Connell and recognize his extraordinary accomplishments as an 
American who gave so much of himself, so quietly and effectively, to 
the next generation. He is the kind of man that deserves admiration for 
he exemplifies what it means to be a man for others. May he and his 
family enjoy many years together and may he and they know how truly our 
community expresses its gratitude to him. Onward.

                          ____________________