[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 192 (Wednesday, December 14, 2011)]
[House]
[Page H8907]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   CONGRATULATING ROBERT GRIFFIN, III

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Flores) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. FLORES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate a constituent 
of Texas District 17. His name is Robert Griffin, III, of Baylor 
University in Waco, Texas, and he is the recipient of the 2011 Heisman 
Memorial Trophy.
  The son of two U.S. Army sergeants, RG3, as he is more popularly 
known, epitomizes what it means to be a student athlete and a role 
model for all Americans.
  During the Baylor Bears' 2011 season, Robert threw for nearly 4,000 
yards and had 45 touchdowns. His 72 percent completion rate placed him 
among the most accurate passers in the Nation, and he was the only 
player in the country who had at least 3,300 passing yards and 300 
rushing yards.

                              {time}  1030

  He is one of only three players in Football Bowl Subdivision history 
with 10,000 career passing yards and 2,000 career rushing yards. He 
owns or shares 30 Baylor football records.
  Among his awards and accolades in 2011 were the Chic Harley Award for 
the National Player of the Year, the Big 12 Player of the Year, first 
team All-American, the Davey O'Brien Award, and, of course, the 77th 
annual Heisman Memorial Trophy, awarded to the most outstanding player 
in college football each year. He did all of this while leading the 
Bears to their first nine-win regular season since 1986 and a berth in 
the Alamo Bowl in 2011.
  What makes Robert such an excellent role model is that his success at 
Baylor has not only been on the field. Robert graduated from Baylor in 
3 years with a 3.67 GPA and a degree in political science. He is 
currently in graduate school pursuing a master's in communication and 
plans to attend law school in the future. He is a six-time member of 
the Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll and a two-time Dean's List 
honoree. This year, he was named second team Academic All-American.
  Robert is also very active in his community, regularly volunteering 
for several charities in the Waco area. Robert is also a world-class 
hurdler, and he hopes to qualify for the 2012 Olympic Team. I am 
personally proud of RG III because he is a fine Christian man and 
publicly professes his faith in God.
  I also want to congratulate Baylor University and football coach Art 
Briles on a great 2011 football season. As Coach Briles says, ``great 
things come with great effort,'' and the Baylor Nation should be 
justifiably proud of their football team and coaching staff for their 
great effort this year.
  Before I close, I would like to wish all Americans a safe and 
fulfilling Christmas season and holiday season. I ask that all of us 
continue to pray for our country and our military men and women during 
these difficult times.
  Sic 'em, Bears.

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