[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 21 (Tuesday, February 3, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1438-S1439]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

                                 ______
                                 

 SENATE RESOLUTION 26--RECOGNIZING AND HONORING RALPH WILSON, JR. AND 
  BRUCE SMITH ON BEING SELECTED TO THE 2009 PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME 
                                 CLASS

  Mr. SCHUMER (for himself and Mrs. Gillibrand) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary:

                               S. Res. 26

       Whereas Ralph Wilson, Jr. was born in Columbus, Ohio on 
     October 17, 1918 and grew up in Detroit, Michigan;
       Whereas Ralph Wilson, Jr. is a graduate of the University 
     of Virginia and attended the University of Michigan Law 
     School;
       Whereas Ralph Wilson, Jr. bravely served in the United 
     States Navy during World War II;
       Whereas Ralph Wilson, Jr.'s first involvement in 
     professional football was as a minority owner of the National 
     Football League's (NFL) Detroit Lions;
       Whereas on October 28, 1959, Ralph Wilson, Jr. created the 
     Buffalo Bills, the seventh American Football League (AFL) 
     franchise;
       Whereas under Ralph Wilson, Jr.'s leadership and with the 
     legendary players Jack Kemp, Cookie Gilchrist, Billy Shaw, 
     and Tom Sestak, the Buffalo Bills were AFL champions in 1964 
     and 1965;
       Whereas Ralph Wilson, Jr., head Coach Marv Levy, and 
     outstanding talented players, including Jim Kelly, Bruce 
     Smith, Thurman Thomas, and Andre Reed, led the Buffalo Bills 
     to Super Bowls XXV, XXVI, XXVII, and XXVIII;
       Whereas in 1998, the Buffalo Bill's home stadium was named 
     ``Ralph Wilson Stadium'' to honor the team's owner;
       Whereas at 90 years old, Ralph Wilson, Jr. is still a 
     champion for his team;
       Whereas Bruce Smith was born in Norfolk, Virginia on June 
     18, 1963;
       Whereas Bruce Smith attended Virginia Polytechnic Institute 
     and State University and is one of the most-celebrated 
     football players of his alma mater, having been nicknamed 
     ``The Sack Man'';
       Whereas Bruce Smith was drafted to the Buffalo Bills in 
     1985 as the number one draft pick overall;
       Whereas Bruce Smith was a member of the Buffalo Bills for 
     Super Bowls XXV, XXVI, XXVII, and XXVIII;
       Whereas Bruce Smith was first selected to play in the Pro 
     Bowl in 1987, and was selected 10 additional years during 
     which he was a Buffalo Bill;
       Whereas Bruce Smith boasts numerous professional football 
     recognitions, including Pro Bowl Most Valuable Player, 
     Associated Press NFL Defensive Player of the Year, Newspaper 
     Enterprise Association Defensive Player of the Year, United 
     Press International Defensive Player of the Year, and 
     American Football Conference (AFC) Defensive Player of the 
     Year; and
       Whereas Bruce Smith completed his career as a Washington 
     Redskin in 2003 after 19 seasons and a record 200 sacks: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate recognizes and honors Ralph 
     Wilson, Jr. and Bruce Smith on being selected to the 2009 Pro 
     Football Hall of Fame class.

[[Page S1439]]



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