[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 38 (Friday, March 15, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E311]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING BERNARD HOPKINS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROBERT A. BRADY

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, March 15, 2013

  Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor 
Philadelphia's own, Bernard ``The Executioner'' Hopkins. On March 10, 
2013, Bernard became the oldest boxer to win a major title. A champion 
both in and out of the ring, Bernard is among Philadelphia sports' 
greatest icons.
  Breaking his own record from two years earlier, Bernard beat 30 year 
old Tavoris Cloud for the IBF light heavyweight championship. At 48 
years old, Bernard proved that age is just a number as he out moved his 
opponent, something he has done many times before. After the fight he 
said, ``Tonight was one of the bigger fights of my career.''
  Bernard has been a champion for a long time--he won the Pennsylvania 
Junior Olympics at age nine. He is among some of boxing's greatest like 
Sugar Ray Robinson, Carlos Monzon, and Marvelous Marvin Hagler. Oscar 
De La Hoya once said that Hopkins is ``one of the great talents we've 
had in this generation.''
  His latest win is his 53rd professional win, 32 of which came by 
knockout. This is also not the first record Bernard has shattered. His 
record of 20 successful title defenses has been unbreakable since he 
reached the milestone in 2005.
  Bernard is not just a champion in the ring but a champion to 
Philadelphia, the city he always called home. He works tirelessly with 
the city's youth to help them get on and stay on the straight and 
narrow. He is a husband and a father and great American.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues join me in honoring a great 
champion, and an even greater person, Bernard Hopkins.

                          ____________________