[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 109 (Thursday, June 28, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Page S4727]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               REMEMBERING CHARLES MARTIN ``C.M.'' NEWTON

 Mr. JONES. Mr. President, today with deep sadness, but also 
with reverence, I wish to remember Charles Martin ``C.M.'' Newton, who 
died on Monday, June 4, 2018. C.M. Newton was one of the most 
influential coaches in college sports, whose skills I was fortunate to 
witness firsthand during my time as an undergraduate student at the 
University of Alabama. Coach Newton integrated the Alabama Crimson Tide 
men's basketball team in 1969 and led them to three Southeastern 
Conference, SEC, titles from 1974-1976. He also led the Vanderbilt 
University Commodores to the Sweet Sixteen in the 1988 NCAA Tournament 
before leaving to lead the athletic department at the University of 
Kentucky, his alma mater. At Kentucky, he not only continued the 
Wildcat tradition of winning NCAA men's basketball championships, he 
once again broke down barriers by hiring the first Black women's and 
men's coaches in UK history.
  C.M. Newton was born in Rockwood, TN, on February 2, 1930. As a 
student at the University of Kentucky, he played on the baseball team, 
as well as the 1951 championship-winning men's basketball team. He 
began his coaching career at Transylvania University before moving to 
Alabama and, later, Vanderbilt. In addition to coaching, he served as 
an assistant SEC commissioner. After leading Alabama to three 
conference titles and six postseason visits, he headed to Vanderbilt in 
1981, before returning to Kentucky in 1989. His success as a basketball 
coach and as an athletic director led him to oversee the 1992 and 1996 
Olympic men's basketball team rosters, which included the famous 1992 
``Dream Team'' led by Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, as 
well as Charles Barkley, an Alabama native.
  On a personal note, I have looked up to Coach Newton since before I 
ever set foot on campus at the University of Alabama. In May 1972, he 
spoke at a Birmingham Kiwanis Club luncheon where I received the Youth 
of the Year Award during my senior year of high school. He spoke of 
leadership, of integrity, and of the need to fulfill the promise of 
America. He challenged all of the students in attendance that day to be 
the best we could be for ourselves, our families, and our communities.
  Forty-six years later, I can remember his advice just as clearly as 
the day he gave it. I hope, in some way, we have each lived up to his 
challenge.
  Years later, Coach Newton went on to receive the John Bunn Lifetime 
Achievement Award in 1997, an annual award given to an individual who 
has contributed significantly to the sport of basketball, and was 
inducted to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2000.
  My wife, Louise, and I extend our sincerest condolences to Coach 
Newton's wife, Nancy, his three children, and the entire extended 
community of athletes and fans on whom he made a positive impact. His 
legacy lives on in each of us.

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