[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 152 (Tuesday, October 29, 2013)]
[House]
[Page H6876]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING THE LIFE OF OAIL ANDREW ``BUM'' PHILLIPS
(Ms. JACKSON LEE asked and was given permission to address the House
for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, in about 2 hours today, in Houston, at
the Lakewood Church, we in Houston will honor the famed, the humble,
and the especially loved Oail Andrew ``Bum'' Phillips, our favorite
coach, Coach Bum Phillips of the Houston Oilers, our friend, my friend.
We lost Coach Phillips October 18, 2013, at his home, his ranch in
Texas. I offer to his wife, his son and daughters and grandchildren and
great-grandchildren my deepest sympathy.
But I know, as he is honored this evening, there will be a
celebration of his life; for Bum Phillips was the kind of character-
building leader that led young men into the most winningest franchise
of the then-Houston Oilers. He did it because he had a championship
spirit, and he had the ability to add quips to anything that you would
ask him.
When asked one time about Earl Campbell, he said, ``What kind of
class is Earl Campbell in? He may not be in a class all by himself, but
it doesn't take long to call the roll.''
When asked about the Dallas Cowboys as America's team, Bum said,
``The Dallas Cowboys may be America's team, but the Houston Oilers are
Texas' team.''
Tonight I know there will be many who will celebrate his life and the
service he gave.
I want to thank Mike Barber for organizing this great effort. I will
miss being there, but Bum, I want to thank you. Coach Bum Phillips, I
want to thank you for the joy you brought to Houston, the excitement of
the team, the spirit of winning and losing, the fairness and the
balance that you added to those young men that were under your
tutelage.
You went on to coach the New Orleans Saints, but you will always be
special in our hearts, and I hope this body will offer a moment of
silence for our dear friend, the Nation's friend, Texas' friend, Coach
Bum Phillips.
I thank you, Mr. Speaker, for allowing this tribute on the floor to
this great American, Coach Bum Phillips.
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