[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 50 (Tuesday, March 24, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E752]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       A TRIBUTE MR. JODIE BAILEY

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                           HON. WM. LACY CLAY

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 24, 2009

  Mr. CLAY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Jodie Bailey a 
Missouri coaching and community legend. Mr. Bailey had a positive 
influence in the sport of basketball, in the lives of the young men he 
coached and his community.
  My first encounter with Mr. Bailey was 45 years ago at the age of 7 
years old. He was Head Camp Counselor for Camp Rivercliff of the YMCA, 
where I attend summer camp. He had a positive impact on my life at an 
impressionable age and helped make me the man I am today.
  Mr. Bailey set unprecedented records and won championships over the 
span of 42 seasons at three different area St. Louis Public High 
schools. He had an outstanding record of 824 wins with only 198 losses. 
He coached many great sports stars, including the late Elston Howard of 
the New York Yankees and the Boston Celtics Jo Jo White. His 
accomplishments led him to be inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of 
Fame in 1989.
  He put an emphasis on teaching fundamentals in the game of 
basketball. He always worked to get young people to be the best they 
could be. In addition, Mr. Bailey was a teacher who took time to make 
personal investments in each of his student's lives, which they 
remember until this day.
  Mr. Bailey always sought to impart knowledge into the people that 
came into his life. He was a tenacious but mild-mannered coach; always 
ready to give constructive and encouraging words of advice.
  His success as a coach spanned four decades including the turbulent 
1950's and 60's that included segregation and the Civil Rights 
movement. He continued coaching through the 1980's. Mr. Bailey was a 
role model on and off of the court teaching integrity and self-respect 
to his players. He was a respected community leader and viewed as a 
``Godly'' man.
  Madam Speaker, I am honored to pay tribute to Mr. Bailey, a man of 
humility and passion who's influence surpassed his coaching success. He 
made a difference in all the lives he touched. I urge my colleagues to 
join me in honoring Mr. Jodie Bailey, coaching and life legend.

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