[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 135 (Friday, September 18, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1320-E1321]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING THE LIFE OF DR. JON WOODS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. PATRICK J. TIBERI

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 18, 2015

  Mr. TIBERI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of 
Dr. Jon Woods,

[[Page E1321]]

the long-time director of The Ohio State University Marching Band. He 
passed away on Saturday, September 12th fittingly on a day when so many 
of his former students were gathered together for the alumni game to 
perform with the current band during pre-game and half-time shows. I 
was privileged to be one of his students when I was a member of The 
Best Damn Band In The Land (TBDBITL).
   Dr. Woods grew up in Pennsylvania, studied music education, and 
received a bachelor's degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, a 
master's degree from Penn State University, and a doctorate from ``that 
school up North''--the University of Michigan. After serving 10 years 
as an associate director he became the director in 1983.
   For 28 years he led TBDBITL. He was an innovator, creating computer-
designed halftime shows that are now one of the band's trademarks. He 
led by example, quiet but firm, encouraging comradery and promoting a 
tradition of excellence. Notably, he always strove to improve the 
band's performances and inspired that drive in his students. Unusual 
among his peers, Dr. Woods was also a professor and an advisor. In 
fact, he felt his greatest legacy was his students.
   During his career his name became synonymous with the band as he 
directed shows at 35 bowl games and three presidential inaugurations. 
It was my honor to work with him to secure the band's ability to march 
in the 1989 inaugural parade for President George Bush, the 2001 
inaugural parade for President George W. Bush and the 2009 inaugural 
parade for President Barack Obama. He said his favorite game was the 
2002 National Championship overtime win against The University of 
Miami. Dr. Woods' greatest honor was dotting the ``I'' during his final 
season.
   A trombone player himself, Dr. Woods looked forward to retiring so 
he could be more involved in his own musical group, Trombones Plus. He 
was also looking forward to travelling with his wife, Donna and 
spending time with his children and granddaughter, Reese. While his 
family will deeply feel his loss, Dr. Woods touched countless people's 
lives. He will be missed by his students, the university, and the 
TBDBITL community.

                          ____________________