[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 137 (Wednesday, November 12, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1519]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    IN RECOGNITION OF ROBERT HUGHES

                                  _____
                                 

                          HON. MARC A. VEASEY

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 12, 2014

  Mr. VEASEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Robert 
Hughes, a man who broke incredible records in basketball while 
simultaneously overcoming tremendous obstacles. Robert Hughes paved the 
way for African American students to have the same opportunities as 
their counterparts and bridged the divides of a segregated community.
  Robert Hughes was born on May 15, 1928, in Sapulpa, Oklahoma. He was 
the youngest of five brothers with a successful high school basketball 
career. After a tour in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, Hughes 
played college basketball at Texas Southern University. In 1955, he was 
drafted to the Boston Celtics, but ended up playing for Marques Haynes' 
barnstorming team, the Harlem Magicians. During his time with the 
Harlem Magicians, he ruptured his Achilles tendon and began his 
legendary coaching career.
  From 1958 to 1973, Hughes coached the Fort Worth I.M. Terrell High 
School basketball team, with an astonishing record of 378-84. During 
this time, I.M. Terrell was a segregated high school, placing the team 
in a specific division called the Prairie View Interscholastic League. 
The PVIL governed the Texas African American high schools. Hughes won 
three PVIL championships and came second in two more during his time at 
Terrell. In 1973, the desegregation of public schools would lead to the 
closing of Terrell and the beginning of Hughes career at Fort Worth 
Dunbar High School.
  Hughes remained at Fort Worth Dunbar until he retired in 2005 with an 
astonishing overall career record of 1,333-264. He had the most wins in 
the entire nation until recently when Leta Andrews passed his record. 
During his 47 seasons at Dunbar, Hughes brought his team to victory 
while changing the lives of thousands of students. As a coach, he broke 
the racial divide and bridged the gap between communities. For 50 
years, the Southwest Conference denied entry to black high school 
athletes. Hughes navigated his way around these policies and created 
relationships with the Big Ten, Pacific 8 and Missouri Valley 
Conferences so that all of his players could be offered the same 
opportunities.
  Dallas cinematographer, Ronald Nance and Lindell Singleton, producer 
of major feature films such as Lone Star and Holy War, are partnering 
to bring Robert Hughes' story to life in a feature-length documentary 
called Relentless, which will premiere in February 2015. The film will 
capture the incredible feats of Hughes and the impact that he had on 
the Texas basketball community.
  In honor of Coach Robert Hughes, a pillar of the Fort Worth and Texas 
athletic community, this statement will be entered into the 
Congressional Record on Wednesday, November 12, 2014.

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