[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 95 (Wednesday, May 20, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Page S2548]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    REMEMBERING DONALD FRANCIS SHULA

 Mr. RUBIO. Mr. President, today, I honor the life and 
achievements of Coach Shula, who passed away on May 4, 2020, at the age 
of 90. I am pleased the Senate passed a resolution honoring the Pro 
Football Hall of Fame coach, with the following:
  Honoring the life and achievement of Pro Football Hall of Fame Coach 
Donald Francis Shula and expressing condolences to his family on his 
passing.

       Whereas Coach Donald Francis Shula (referred to in this 
     preamble as ``Coach Shula'') was born on January 4, 1930, and 
     grew up in Painesville, Ohio;
       Whereas Coach Shula's father immigrated to the United 
     States from Hungary;
       Whereas Coach Shula attended Harvey High School and later 
     played collegiate football at John Carroll University;
       Whereas, in 1951, the Cleveland Browns selected Coach Shula 
     in the ninth round of the National Football League (referred 
     to in this preamble as the ``NFL'') draft as a defensive 
     back;
       Whereas, in addition to playing for the Cleveland Browns, 
     Coach Shula also played for the Baltimore Colts and the 
     Washington Redskins;
       Whereas Coach Shula--
       (1) began his coaching career at the University of 
     Virginia;
       (2) also coached at the University of Kentucky; and
       (3) coached as a defensive coordinator for the Detroit 
     Lions;
       Whereas, in 1963, Coach Shula became the youngest coach in 
     the NFL when he took the head coaching position at the 
     Baltimore Colts;
       Whereas, as the head coach of the Baltimore Colts, Coach 
     Shula--
       (1) compiled a record of 71 wins, 23 losses, and 4 ties; 
     and
       (2) won the NFL championship in 1968;
       Whereas, in 1970, Coach Shula became the head coach of the 
     Miami Dolphins (referred to in this preamble as the 
     ``Dolphins'');
       Whereas Coach Shula remained the head coach of the Dolphins 
     for 26 seasons, took the Dolphins to 5 Super Bowls, and led 
     the Dolphins to victory in 2 of those Super Bowls;
       Whereas Coach Shula led the 1972 Dolphins team to a perfect 
     season;
       Whereas, in Super Bowl VII, Coach Shula led the Dolphins to 
     victory over the Washington Redskins with a score of 14 to 7;
       Whereas, in Super Bowl VIII, Coach Shula led the Dolphins, 
     the reigning Super Bowl champions, to victory over the 
     Minnesota Vikings with a score of 24 to 7;
       Whereas, after 33 years of coaching, Coach Shula retired 
     from coaching in 1995 with the NFL record for most wins by a 
     head coach, compiling a regular season record of 328 wins, 
     156 losses, and 6 ties and a postseason record of 19 wins and 
     17 losses;
       Whereas Coach Shula was inducted into the Pro Football Hall 
     of Fame in 1997;
       Whereas, following his coaching days, Coach Shula--
       (1) supported many charities;
       (2) gave generously to his local parish; and
       (3) established the Don Shula Foundation to assist with 
     breast cancer research; and
       Whereas Coach Shula, a loving husband, father, grandfather, 
     son, and brother, passed away on May 4, 2020, at 90 years of 
     age: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) recognizes the life and achievements of Pro Football 
     Hall of Fame Coach Donald Francis Shula (referred to in this 
     resolution as ``Coach Shula'');
       (2) expresses condolences to the family of Coach Shula on 
     his passing; and
       (3) respectfully requests that the Secretary of the Senate 
     transmit an enrolled copy of this resolution to--
       (A) the family of Coach Shula; and
       (B) the Miami Dolphins.

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