[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 99 (Thursday, July 11, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1054]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         IN HONOR OF ROY HARRIS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEVIN BRADY

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 11, 2013

  Mr. BRADY of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I stand today to honor my friend, 
Roy Harris of Cut and Shoot on his 80th birthday.
  All across America, there are living legends every American should 
know about and Montgomery County, Texas has a special icon: Roy Harris.
  To fully understand Roy's legendary status, we have to take a trip 
back in time. Roy's first brush with fame came during his early 
teenaged years when he and his brother captured a 14 foot alligator and 
brought it to a pond on their family's property. At the time, that was 
the largest alligator ever captured in Texas.
  In his early 20's, Roy stepped into the boxing ring with 
determination. He won his first 23 fights, beating some of the top 
boxers of his generation, earning Ring Magazines' progress of the year 
for 1957. He was featured on the coveted cover of Sports Illustrated 
which played up his East Texas roots having him stand on a cabin porch 
with a 19th century rifle and loyal canine companion at his side.
  Roy's legend grew even larger when he stepped into the ring to battle 
reigning world champion and Olympic Gold Medalist Floyd Patterson for 
the world's heavyweight boxing title.
  The referee stopped the fight after 12 rounds, but not before Roy 
became a national hero. It was Roy's fame, and a boost from his hit 
record ``Cut'n Shoot, Texas USA'', that literally put his hometown on 
the map and garnered it an official U.S. Post Office.
  But Roy is so much more than an alligator wrangler, a top flight 
boxer or radio hit maker, Roy was also a college honor student and a 
reserve officer in our military. He taught elementary school before 
becoming a lawyer, real estate mogul and popular public servant serving 
several terms as our county treasurer. I can tell you from personal 
experience, no one campaigns harder, longer, and more for the people 
than Roy Harris.
  He and his wonderful wife, Jeannie, raised six impressive children. 
He told his story much better than I could in his book ``Roy Harris: 
Backwoods Battler.'' My only question was how is this autobiography not 
in multiple volumes?
  With 30 wins in the ring and many, many more wins in life, it was 
fitting that our community came together last month for a public 
birthday bash for Roy's 80th.
  Roy, thanks for being a great example for your children, my children, 
and millions of others. Your legend will only keep growing.

                          ____________________