[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 133 (Thursday, July 29, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E847]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    IN RECOGNITION OF THE LATE HAROLD EDWARD ``RED'' GRANGE ON HIS 
         INDUCTION INTO THE LUZERNE COUNTY SPORTS HALL OF FAME

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                          HON. MATT CARTWRIGHT

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 29, 2021

  Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor former athlete 
and Northeastern Pennsylvania native, the late Harold Edward ``Red'' 
Grange. Harold will be inducted into the Luzerne County Sports Hall of 
Fame for his distinct athletic achievements in the sport of football. 
He and his fellow inductees will be honored at a reception on August 8, 
2021.
  Each year the Luzerne County Sports Hall of Fame honors those who 
have brought fame and recognition to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania 
through their outstanding achievements and contributions in athletic 
endeavors.
  Harold was born on June 13, 1903 to Sarah ``Sadie'' and John ``Lyle'' 
Grange in Forksville, Pennsylvania. After his wife passed away in 1910 
from typhoid fever, Lyle moved his family to Wheaton, Illinois to be 
closer to relatives. Eager to support his family, Harold began 
delivering blocks of ice to Wheaton-area homes after proving he could 
lift the 75-pound blocks of ice on his shoulders with ease. The 
strenuous job not only primed his body for the physical demands of 
football but also earned him the nickname, ``Wheaton Iceman.''
  Harold had a standout high school football career, scoring 75 
touchdowns. He continued his athletic career at the University of 
Illinois where he was known as the ``Galloping Ghost'' for his 
unparalleled agility and speed. On October 18, 1924, he helped lead the 
team to a national championship over Michigan in a game where he scored 
four touchdowns and covered 262 yards in the first twelve minutes. 
While at Illinois. he was an All-American three times and, in 1924, was 
the first recipient of the Silver Football Award as the Big Ten's Most 
Valuable Player. He was named to the Sporting News All-Team, the Big 
Ten Diamond Anniversary Team, the Walter Camp All-Century Team, and the 
UI All-Century Team. In 1925, the University of Illinois retired his 
number, No. 77, the first of only two players to date to have that 
honor.
  At the last game of his impressive collegiate career, Harold signed a 
professional contract with the Chicago Bears. With his magnetic 
presence and athletic prowess on the field, crowds would flock to the 
stadium to watch him lead his team to championships. For his efforts, 
Harold is credited with sparking the new interest Americans began to 
show in football and helping to legitimize and popularize the National 
Football League. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame 
as well as the Pro Football Hall of Fame. A historical marker on Route 
154 near the intersection with Route 87 in Forksville, PA commemorates 
Harold's storied football career.
  In 1941, Harold married Margaret Hazelberg. He had a daughter with 
Helen Morrissey in 1928, Rosemary Morrisey, and he has a granddaughter 
Rose Batka. He died on January 28, 1991.
  It is an honor to recognize Harold on his induction into the Luzerne 
County Sports Hall of Fame. May his story and athletic career serve as 
an inspiration to the next generation of Pennsylvania athletes striving 
for excellence.

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