[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 141 (Friday, August 6, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E875-E876]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING TOM FLORES

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, August 6, 2021

  Mr. COSTA. Madam Speaker, I rise today along with my colleagues, Mr. 
Ruiz and Mr. Soto, to recognize Mr. Tom Flores for his successful 
career and outstanding achievements in professional football.
  Tom Flores was born in Fresno and raised in Sanger, California. He is 
a son of immigrants who had humbled beginnings working in the 
agriculture fields of the San Joaquin Valley. He attended Fresno City 
College, where he played as quarterback for two seasons and then 
received an academic scholarship to study at the University of the 
Pacific.
  Following his graduation, Flores sought to pursue a career in 
professional football. For him, like others, it was not easy. He was 
cut by the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League in 1958, 
and then by the Washington Redskins of the National Football League 
(NFL) in 1959. But that did not stop him: he persisted until his dream 
became a reality.
  In 1960, Flores became the first Hispanic quarterback in American 
professional football after winning the starting quarterback job with 
the American Football League's Oakland Raiders. He later played for the 
Buffalo Bills and the Kansas City Chiefs. He won his first Super Bowl 
ring in 1969 playing quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs. After a 
successful playing career, he retired, following the 1970 season.
  Subsequently, Flores served as an assistant coach with the Buffalo 
Bills and Oakland Raiders. In 1979, he became the Raiders head coach 
and the first Hispanic head coach in NFL history. Under his leadership, 
the Raiders won the 1980 Super Bowl XV and 1983 Super Bowl XVIII. Tom 
Flores has four Super Bowl rings and is one of two individuals that 
earned that honor as a player, assistant coach, and head coach.
  Coach Flores joined the Raiders front office after the 1987 season. A 
year later, he became President and General Manager of the Seattle 
Seahawks. In 1992, he returned to the sideline as the head coach of the 
Seahawks for three seasons. In twelve seasons as a head coach, Flores 
compiled a career record of 97-87 and an impressive playoff record of 
8-3, surpassed only by the legendary coach Vince Lombardi. He later 
returned to the Raiders, where he spent more than two decades as a 
radio analyst.
  After a successful career in football, both as a player and coach, 
Flores has used his influence to raise nearly 2 million dollars to 
support Sanger Unified School District's science, art, and athletics 
programs through the Tom Flores Foundation. Demonstrating a commitment 
to giving back to our communities and nation.
  Coach Flores was selected to be enshrined as a member of the Class of 
2021 for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, an honor well deserved and 
overdue. He will be the third Raiders Head Coach in the Hall of Fame. 
The Class of 2021 will be enshrined on Sunday, August 8, 2021, in 
Canton, Ohio.
  Today, he remains active with the Raiders, now in Las Vegas, Nevada. 
Through his illustrious athletic career and commitment to his

[[Page E876]]

community, Tom Flores has truly been a role model, not only for Latinos 
but all fans of the NFL.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Tom 
Flores. We recognize his successful career and contributions to 
society, look forward to his enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of 
Fame.

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