[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 106 (Tuesday, July 23, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1118]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    HONORING CARL BENNETT, A FOUNDING FATHER OF MODERN PROFESSIONAL 
           BASKETBALL AND THE NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SUSAN W. BROOKS

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 23, 2013

  Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to 
Carl Bennett. I was honored to know Carl for over two decades and mourn 
his passing. He passed away on May 15, 2013, at the age of 97\1/2\, but 
his legacy will continue to inspire basketball coaches, players, and 
fans for generations to come.
  Carl Bennett was born in Rockford, Indiana, in 1915. He began his 
illustrious career first by playing for Fred Zollner's Pistons softball 
team and later served as the head coach and general manager of the Fort 
Wayne Pistons professional basketball team, also owned by Zollner. 
Under his leadership, the Pistons were invited to leave the National 
Basketball League and become part of the Basketball Association of 
America. This meeting in Carl's Fort Wayne home led to the merger of 
the two leagues and, ultimately, to the modern National Basketball 
Association. As a result of his involvement, Carl served on the NBA's 
executive committee and is considered one of the founding fathers of 
professional basketball.
  Carl's influence led to many changes in the way basketball, Indiana's 
favorite game, is played. He encouraged Zollner to buy a team plane, a 
first for a sports franchise, and his coaching of the Pistons in a 1950 
win over the Minneapolis Lakers led to the introduction of the 24-
second shot clock. This major change resulted in a dramatic increase in 
average game scores. One of Carl's foremost contributions to the game 
was widening the lane from six feet to twelve feet, a change that is 
still in effect today. He also successfully campaigned for Fred 
Zollner's enshrinement in the Basketball Hall of Fame.
  Carl Bennett was a man of vision and determination. My condolences 
and well wishes go out to his wife, Mrs. Carol Popp Bennett, his 
children Kirk and Gary Bennett, Sandra Dodane, Catherine Popp Hoffman, 
their spouses, his sister Bertha Bennett Christie, his eleven 
grandchildren, thirty great-grandchildren, and five great-great 
grandchildren. His loving touch will be missed by everyone who knew 
him, and he will be always remembered for transforming so many lives 
through the wonderful sport of basketball.

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