[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 105 (Friday, June 21, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E814-E815]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         IN HONOR OF PAT BOWLEN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DIANA DeGETTE

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 21, 2019

  Ms. DeGETTE. Madam Speaker, I rise today, along with Congressman Ed 
Perlmutter, Congressman Doug Lamborn, Congressman Scott Tipton, 
Congressman Ken Buck, Congressman Jason Crow, and Congressman Joe 
Neguse, to honor the life of Pat Bowlen, a beloved husband, father and 
long-time owner of the Denver Broncos.
   Pat is a household name for anyone who watches football. For over 
three decades, Pat made the city of Denver and the state of Colorado 
proud by demanding excellence in his team.
   ``I want to be No. 1 in everything'' Pat was famously known for 
saying. And, having brought home three Superbowl championships for 
Colorado, it's a motto he certainly lived by.

[[Page E815]]

   During his tenure, the Broncos amassed over 300 wins, one of the 
highest marks for any one NFL team owner during the same amount of 
time. But his legacy stretches far beyond the field.
   Pat and his family often gave back to the community they loved. Pat 
was especially passionate about supporting the Boys and Girls Club of 
America--and since 2003, his generosity helped improve the lives of 
more than 15,000 teens living in the Denver metro area and around the 
state.
   Madam Speaker, Pat Bowlen lived a remarkable life and he will be 
missed. From ``The Drive'' to ``Tebow-mania'' to the Peyton Manning 
comeback story, Pat's impact on the Broncos will likely go unrivaled by 
anyone else.
   In 1998, when the Broncos won their first ever Superbowl, Pat turned 
to hoist the Lombardi trophy and declared, ``This one's for John.''
   It was a simple phrase, but his tribute to the quarterback perfectly 
captured Pat's devotion to his team, and how he consistently lifted up 
his players and his community.
   So today, as members of Colorado's Congressional delegation, we wish 
to declare that ``this one's for Pat.''
   We join with millions of Broncos fans around the country to thank 
him for the pride he brought to the team, the city of Denver, and our 
state.
   We offer our deepest condolences to the Bowlen family for their 
loss, and we hope that they find comfort in knowing how many Coloradans 
are so appreciative for Pat and his life's work.

                          ____________________