[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 172 (Tuesday, December 21, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2233-E2234]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING COACH GENE STALLINGS FOR SELECTION TO COLLEGE FOOTBALL HALL 
                                OF FAME

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RALPH M. HALL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 21, 2010

  Mr. HALL of Texas. Madam Speaker, it is a great privilege to rise 
today in honor of a friend and celebrated native of Paris, Texas--
legendary coach Gene ``Bebes'' Stallings who recently was inducted into 
the College Football Hall of Fame.
  Coach Stallings embodies the best qualities of a coach, teaching his 
players not only how to play the game but always to give their best, 
win or lose. His journey began as a stand-out player at Paris High 
School and continued at Texas A&M University as a member of Paul 
``Bear'' Bryant's famous Junction Boys. During his career at A&M, Gene 
was part of the team that finished 9-0-1, winning a Southwest 
Conference Championship in 1956. He graduated from Texas A&M University 
with a bachelor of science in 1957 and later earned an honorary degree 
from Harding University. After his playing days, Gene arrived at 
Alabama to be an assistant coach under Head Coach Paul ``Bear'' Bryant. 
He returned to Texas A&M University as head coach in 1965, coaching 
there until 1971. One of the most thrilling moments of his tenure as 
head coach at A&M was leading his alma mater to victory against his 
former coach at the 1968 Cotton Bowl.
  For the next 18 years, Gene was a successful coach in the National 
Football League. For 14 years he served as an assistant coach for the 
Dallas Cowboys. He was a part of Tom Landry's very successful staff 
which led the Cowboys to victory in Super Bowl XII. Gene then became 
the head coach of the St. Louis Cardinals for two years, followed by 
two more years as head coach for the Phoenix Cardinals.
  After a very successful tenure as a coach in the National Football 
League, Gene returned to college football and Alabama in 1990. His 
first year at Alabama started with a 0-3 record; however, because of 
his great leadership, his team improved, finishing the season with a 7-
5 record. In 1992, Alabama's dominance began as they finished the 
season with a 13-0 record, becoming Southeastern Conference champions 
and winning the national championship against Miami. In 1993, the 
Crimson Tide won their second straight Southeastern Conference western 
division title and finished with a record of 9-3-1. In 1994, his team 
had an 11-0 regular season record. The Crimson Tide lost in the 
Southeastern Conference title game but defeated Ohio State in the 
Citrus Bowl. Gene's last year at Alabama was 1996, and his team won 10 
games and earned a berth in the Southeastern Conference championship 
game against Florida. In 1996, Gene announced his retirement from 
football and completed his career at Alabama with a 70-16-1 record.
  This astonishing record of achievement led to numerous awards and 
recognitions. Gene is a member of the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame, the 
Texas Sports Hall of Fame, the Texas A&M University Hall of Fame, the 
Gator Bowl Hall of Fame, and the Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame. He was named 
National Coach of the Year, American Football Coaches' Coach of the 
Year, Walter Camp Coach of the Year and received the Paul ``Bear'' 
Bryant Lifetime Achievement Award. In addition, he won the Southeastern 
Conference Coach of the year twice.
  Gene not only deserves to be inducted into the College Football Hall 
of Fame but to be in another Hall of Fame--one that honors great 
fathers. His son, John Mark, was born with Down syndrome and a severe 
heart defect and lived to an age, 46, that many doctors felt

[[Page E2234]]

was impossible. Gene and Ruth Ann, his wife, provided their child with 
the most love, care and attention ever given to a child. John Mark was 
born during an era where a child with such a disability was often 
institutionalized. The Stallings included John Mark in every decision--
family-wise or career-wise, and John Mark was a fixture at every game 
and practice of all his father's teams. One of Gene's greatest legacies 
will be the contributions that he and his family made to families with 
special needs' children.
  In recognition of his humanitarian efforts, Gene received the Dallas 
Father of the Year Award, the National Boys Club Alumni of the Year 
Award, Arthritis Humanitarian Award of Alabama, Humanitarian Award of 
the Lion's Club of Alabama, and the Paris Boys Club Wall of Honor. The 
Stallings family was honored by the Tuscaloosa Association of Retarded 
Citizens as the Family of the Year. Their efforts and generosity toward 
the Rise program, a program which aids developmentally disabled 
toddlers for entry into public school and interaction with non-disabled 
students, were again acknowledged with the naming of the Stallings 
Building on the Alabama campus. In addition, Gene wrote a book about 
his son, John Mark.
  Gene has also served as a valued and esteemed member of President 
George W. Bush's Commission on Intellectual Disability, the Board of 
Abilene Christian University, the Tandy Brand Corporation, People's 
National Bank of Paris, Paris Regional Medical Center, Disability 
Resources, the Texas Rangers Law Enforcement Association, the Great 
Southern Wood Corporation, and the Boys and Girls Club of Paris, Texas. 
In 2005, Governor Rick Perry appointed him to the Texas A&M Board of 
Regents, where he served as a member of the Committee on Finance, the 
Committee on Buildings and Physical Plant, and the Committee on Campus 
Art and Aesthetic. An additional responsibility as a member of the 
Board of Regents is his place as the special athletic liaison to the 
A&M Systems Members.
  As the 111th Congress adjourns this week, I am honored to recognize 
the contributions of this great football coach and great American--Gene 
Stallings.

                          ____________________