[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 24 (Thursday, February 12, 2015)]
[House]
[Pages H989-H990]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
REMEMBERING DEAN SMITH
(Ms. FOXX asked and was given permission to address the House for 1
minute.)
Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, on February 7, the State of North Carolina
lost a legend both on and off the court when former University of North
Carolina basketball coach Dean Smith passed away.
[[Page H990]]
During his 36-year tenure as head coach, Smith led the Tar Heels to
879 wins and 13 ACC tournament championships. His teams reached the
Final Four 11 times and won two national titles. He also coached the
U.S. men's basketball team to an Olympic Gold Medal in 1976.
But Smith was more than just a college basketball icon. He was a
deeply religious man who placed a strong emphasis on education. More
than 96 percent of his players received their degrees. An unwavering
supporter of civil rights, he recruited the first Black scholarship
athlete at UNC.
While he never sought accolades for his actions, he received the
Presidential Medal of Freedom, which is the Nation's highest civilian
honor, in 2013.
Coach Smith was a remarkable man, and North Carolina was lucky to
call him one of our own.
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