[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 34 (Wednesday, March 2, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E267]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING THE CAROLINA PANTHERS FOR THEIR NFC CHAMPIONSHIP VICTORY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. RICHARD HUDSON

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 2, 2016

  Mr. HUDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor my hometown team, the 
Carolina Panthers, for representing the National Football Conference in 
Super Bowl 50 after winning the NFC Championship. I would like to 
congratulate the entire Panthers organization on this outstanding 
accomplishment and thank them for the excitement the team brought the 
entire Panthers fan base this season.
  Before this NFL season started, few people expected the Carolina 
Panthers to win enough games to seriously compete for a spot in the 
postseason playoffs. However, Head Coach Ron Rivera and star 
quarterback Cam Newton led the Panthers to victory in 15 of their 16 
games during the regular season, making the Panthers only the seventh 
team in NFL history to win 15 games and set a franchise record for the 
most victories in a single season. In the postseason, the Panthers 
hosted the NFC Championship in Charlotte for the first time in the 
franchise's history and earned a spot in the Super Bowl for only the 
second time since the team organized in 1995. Needless to say, this was 
a fantastic season that will long be remembered by the players, coaches 
and fans.
  While the team's success on the football field this season is 
certainly extraordinary, what is even more impressive about the 
Carolina Panthers is the culture of the organization. The Carolina 
Panthers are one of the most highly respected organizations in the 
National Football League; filled with high-character individuals who 
continually display an active commitment to community service. A great 
example of their community-centered focus is the grant fund the 
Carolina Panthers established after the historic flooding that took 
place in South Carolina during October of 2015. This fund awarded 
$250,000 in grants to assist 19 high school athletic departments in the 
region repair or replace damaged or lost athletic equipment, supplies 
and infrastructure. This is just one of the many ways the Carolina 
Panthers give back to their community through charitable acts and 
community service programs.
  In addition to their long list of charitable acts and dedication to 
serving the community off the field, the Carolina Panthers are 
frequently recognized as having players and coaches who play the game 
with character and integrity. This year alone, several players have 
been recognized for their sportsmanship and leadership on the field. 
Cam Newton was recognized as the league's Most Valuable Player and 
Thomas Davis, a linebacker on the Panthers' defense, was awarded the 
Bart Starr Award, given to a player who exemplifies character and 
leadership on and off the field. Head Coach Ron Rivera was also 
recognized as the league's Coach of the Year and was honored by the 
Panthers for two consecutive years as its Salute to Service Award 
nominee. This award is given by the NFL in partnership with the United 
Services Automobile Association to a member of the NFL community who 
demonstrates a commitment to honor and support members of the armed 
services, veterans and their families.
  Clearly, the Carolina Panthers are a first-class organization both on 
and off the field. This can be attributed to one man, Carolina 
Panthers' founder and owner Jerry Richardson. Mr. Richardson is the 
epitome of dignity and class, and is one of the finest men I have ever 
known. In everything he does, Mr. Richardson carries himself as a true 
professional and Southern gentleman. He always looks for opportunities 
to give back to the community he loves and to assist those who are in 
need. Mr. Richardson is a loyal and patient man who genuinely cares 
about those who work for him, and I would argue he is one of the finest 
owners in NFL history. Without Mr. Richardson, there would be no 
Carolina Panthers and the success this franchise has achieved on the 
field and the superior culture established within the organization 
would not be possible. There is no one more deserving of this 
championship than Mr. Richardson, and I look forward to him leading the 
Carolina Panthers to even greater success in the future.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me again in congratulating the Carolina 
Panthers for their NFC Championship victory, and thanking Mr. 
Richardson and the entire Panthers organization for their tireless 
efforts to better our community. Go Panthers and Keep Pounding!

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