[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 63 (Tuesday, May 10, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E852]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        RECOGNIZING JIM MANDICH

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. DEBBIE WASSERMAN SCHULTZ

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 10, 2011

  Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to mourn the passing 
of Miami Dolphins legend Jim Mandich.
  Jim ``Mad Dog'' Mandich died on April 26th at the age of 62, after a 
valiant battle with bile duct cancer for more than a year.
  He was a beloved and respected member of the South Florida community 
known for his warmth and generosity to those in need.
  To longtime Dolphins fans, Mandich is remembered as the hard-nosed 
tight end on the two Super Bowl championship teams in the early 1970s.
  Over eight seasons in the National Football League, all but one with 
the Miami Dolphins, he caught 121 passes, for 1,406 yards and 23 
touchdowns.
  But on the field he will best be remembered for always giving it his 
all on every play.
  Earning the nickname ``Mad Dog'' for his all-out efforts on special 
teams, his teammates point out that he was the heart and soul of the 
undefeated team in 1972--the only undefeated season by an NFL team in 
the Super Bowl era. He then helped them repeat as Super Bowl champions 
the following season.
  To younger Dolphins fans, he was the ``voice'' of the Dolphins. In 
1992, the ``Mad Dog'' became the Dolphins radio color commentator, but 
to thousands of ``Dol-fans'' he simply became their voice. For nearly 
20 years, Mandich grew a massive following for his all-out support of 
the team and his signature call, ``Awwww-right Miami!''
  Friends described how tough Jim was in his battle with cancer. 
Despite receiving chemotherapy and radiation, Mandich called every 
Dolphins game last season.
  Fittingly, the Dolphins opened up Sun Life Stadium last Wednesday so 
that thousands of fans could pay their respects. He is survived by his 
wife Bonnie and their three sons.
  May we rejoice in the profound joy Jim brought to those privileged to 
know him. He will be missed by the thousands of fans who cheered him on 
the football field and later, listened to him on the radio. He will be 
sorely missed and never replaced.

                          ____________________