[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 9 (Monday, January 23, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E58]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     COLLEGE RIVALRY GOOD FOR TEXAS

                                 ______
                                 

                              HON. TED POE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, January 23, 2012

  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, ``Texas fight, Texas fight and it's 
goodbye to A&M.'' The words of the Texas fight song rang loud for the 
last time this year at the annual duel between the University of Texas 
and Texas A&M.
  The last match-up between the two Texas football powerhouses was a 
bittersweet ending to a 117-year rivalry. Now, the eyes of Texas are 
upon the Aggies as they abandon the Big 12 for the alluring SEC. With 
that decision, ends one, if not the greatest football rivalries of all 
time.
  The annual Turkey Day battle between the burnt orange and the maroon 
is not just a game played once a year; it's not just another team on 
the schedule. This game makes or breaks the season. It's a rivalry in 
every sense of the word; a chance for bragging rights for a whole year 
among family and friends. Neighborhood kids that grow up playing with 
each other become gridiron gladiators, fighting for the ultimate goal 
of beating the other. This football game divides households, 
friendships, and the state of Texas.
  This past Thanksgiving, a historic battle between two Texas 
universities ran deep in the pulse of Texans who have watched year 
after year as these two waged war. With their final game, it's happy 
trails to a Texas tradition that I have grown up with, that my kids 
have grown up with and one that I would love my grandkids to grow up 
with.
  The Longhorns walked out of Kyle field with a 27-25 victory and the 
bragging rights for at least another 10 years (or until a non-
conference game becomes available). As the Aggies left their Austin 
counter-parts for what they believe are bigger and better fields in the 
SEC, they ended a 117-year relationship with the sudden divorce. Maybe 
the Aggies were tired of playing in the shadow of BEVO. After all, 
Texas holds a 2-1 lead in overall wins.
  Not all people are glad about the end of this era. Even some Texas 
citizens with no ties to either school have suggested the legislature 
pass a law requiring the two state schools to play each other every 
year in football.
  The rivalry between UT and Texas A&M is beyond a Saturday football 
game. Here at home, college football has become somewhat of a religion 
to many people--a deep-rooted passion between rival mascots and school 
colors clashing into hard-hitting victories. It's the Junction Boys, 
the Tyler Rose, the last-minute touchdown run by Vince Young in the 
Rose Bowl for the National Championship.
  This is beyond college football; it's Texas football. Nowhere is it 
exemplified better than between the two schools.
  It all started in the 19th century. Grover Cleveland was president 
when on Friday, Oct. 19, 1894, the University of Texas and Texas A&M 
University began their on-field feud. Texas A&M was a military academy 
until the mid-60s. The Aggies' record against the burnt orange suffered 
because of this, but this game was a must win among both schools. The 
Aggies hired legendary coach Bear Bryant as head coach and athletic 
director, but Bryant only defeated the University of Texas one time in 
the four years he commanded before moving on to Alabama.
  As A&M transitioned out of being solely a military academy, their 
traditions against the Longhorns were passed down from generation to 
generation. The two universities fed off of each other's student 
camaraderie by trying to out-do the other with war hymns, anthems, 
school pride, pep rallies and hand signs. Both schools even denounce 
the other in their school songs.
  Legend has it that the UT mascot BEVO established his name after 
Aggies branded the steer with a 13-0 score from the 1915 season. After 
the branding, Texas officials tuned the 13 into the letter B and added 
the E and V into the middle, creating the name BEVO--one of the most 
recognized mascots in college football. Modern Texas revisionists claim 
this is all bunk. Who knows.
  Even today, A&M has their hand in the well-being of the beloved 
mascot. When BEVO becomes ill, Texas officials have to quietly 
transport him to the College Station campus--to A&M's top ranked 
veterinarian program. They see it as a top secret mission so as to not 
invoke the students to ``defame'' the legendary steer.
  Today, the rivalry between the students of each school is still 
alive. But there is no more football between the schools. The last game 
has been played; the teams have left the field; and the clock has 
ticked down to 0:00. In their losing effort this year, the Aggie 
faithful sang the `` Aggie War Hymn'' for the last time at the UT-A&M 
game. ``So it is goodbye to Texas University, so long to the orange and 
the white. . . .'' This may be so, but it ought not to be. The people 
of State of Texas deserve to see these two great universities do their 
annual Thanksgiving battle with the pigskin. There is too much history 
and too much fight left for these football teams to abolish a Texas 
tradition.
  And that's just the way it is.

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