[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 153 (Thursday, October 13, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1848]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI FOR CELEBRATING ITS 100TH 
                       ANNIVERSARY OF HOMECOMING

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BLAINE LUETKEMEYER

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 13, 2011

  Mr. LUETKEMEYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
University of Missouri for celebrating its 100th anniversary of 
Homecoming.
  In 1891, Missouri and Kansas began what is believed to be the oldest 
college football rivalry west of the Mississippi River. After 20 years 
of playing at neutral sites, the National Collegiate Athletic 
Association (NCAA) passed legislation to move collegiate games to 
campus football fields. This was the birth of a vision for the first 
Homecoming celebration at Mizzou.
  That vision began with two words from athletic director and head 
football coach Chester Brewer in 1911. Determined to add excitement to 
the rivalry with the Jayhawks, Coach Brewer called on graduates to 
`come home.'
  And come home they did--with a spirit rally, parade and, of course, a 
football game. And so the Homecoming tradition at Mizzou began.
  Mizzou still has its annual parade and rally and holds the world 
record for the largest peacetime blood drive on a college campus, which 
occurs during Homecoming. Also part of the celebration are community 
service projects, a talent competition and the Homecoming Hall of Fame.
  In closing, I ask all my colleagues to join me in offering the 
University of Missouri congratulations on the 100th anniversary of 
Homecoming.
  Go Mizzou!

                          ____________________