[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 58 (Wednesday, April 3, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E399]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     HONORING THE CAREER AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF COACH BOB HALLBERG

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DANIEL LIPINSKI

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, April 3, 2019

  Mr. LIPINSKI. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Bob Hallberg 
and recognize his tremendous impact on our community, most recently as 
the Women's Basketball Coach and Athletic Director at St. Xavier 
University in Chicago. Coach Hallberg's dedication to his athletes and 
his love for the sport is nothing short of extraordinary. Despite 
starting his career over 50 years ago, Coach Hallberg still considers 
his retirement to be an early one. His commitment to his profession and 
his players throughout his distinguished tenure stands as an example to 
all educators striving to make a positive impact on the student-
athletes they mentor.
   After playing basketball throughout his studies at Leo High School 
and later the Chicago Teachers College (Chicago State), Coach Bob 
Hallberg began his career coaching boys' basketball just down the 
street from my childhood home at Chicago's Kennedy High School in 1966. 
From there he went on to coach Men's Basketball at St. Xavier 
University, Chicago State University, and the University of Illinois, 
Chicago. In 2000 he came back to St. Xavier to become the university's 
first--and so far only--Women's Basketball coach. In addition, Coach 
Hallberg spent many years as St. Xavier's Athletic Director.
   Coach Hallberg has been honored with induction into multiple Halls 
of Fame, including St. Xavier, Leo High School, the University of 
Illinois-Chicago, the Chicago Catholic League, the Illinois Basketball 
Coaches Association (IBCA), and Chicago State University. Meanwhile, 
his former players remember him for his endless encouragement and 
someone who would stop at nothing to mold a player into the best 
version of themselves.
   I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Coach Bob Hallberg. It is 
not often you come across a person who so encompasses inspiration, 
sportsmanship, and professionalism. I congratulate Coach Hallberg on 
his distinguished accomplishments, thank him for his service, and wish 
him and his wife Linda nothing but good health and happiness.

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