[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 110 (Friday, July 8, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1073]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





         COMMEMORATING INDIANA UNIVERSITY TRACK COACH SAM BELL

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. TODD C. YOUNG

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, July 8, 2016

  Mr. YOUNG of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of my 
hometown community in Bloomington, Indiana, and the many Hoosiers who 
crossed paths with legendary track coach, Sam Bell.
  It's difficult to estimate just how many Hoosiers it is I speak for 
today, but suffice it to say, Coach Bell had a tremendous impact in his 
three decades coaching at Indiana University.
  It would take all of the time allotted here and then some, to try to 
list all of Coach Bell's accomplishments.
  But among the brightest in his long line of successes, was being a 
father of four, a grandfather to nine, and a source of confidence for 
so many young people that he coached.
  Sam Bell remains one of the most highly-regarded coaches in the 
history of Indiana track and field--and for good reason.
  He won hundreds of titles. He coached Olympians. He commanded a 
reputation for greatness which preceded him everywhere he went.
  His athletes will be the first to tell you Coach Bell was intensely 
demanding. He was tough--some say old school or conservative even. But 
they respected him for it.
  I was especially struck, Mr. Speaker, by one former Olympian who, 
years later, finds himself constantly quoting Coach Bell to his own 
children.
  You see, because of the type of person Coach Bell was, he had the 
ability to transform not just a single athlete's life, but the lives of 
those who come thereafter.
  There is perhaps no greater legacy one can leave, and I am privileged 
to share it here today--and offer my respects to the Bell family and 
all who called him ``Coach.''

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