[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 153 (Friday, September 3, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E947]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         HONORING THE CAREER AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF TOM FLORES

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. DAVID G. VALADAO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 3, 2021

  Mr. VALADAO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Tom Flores for 
his outstanding professional football career and his induction into the 
Pro Football Hall of Fame.
  Tom Flores, born in Fresno and raised in Sanger, California, was 
inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame on August 8, 2021. After 
playing as quarterback for Fresno City College and then University of 
the Pacific, Flores began his professional career with the Calgary 
Stampeders of Canadian Football League. Although he would be cut in 
1958 and cut from the Washington Redskins of the National Football 
League (NFL) in 1959, Flores won the starting quarterback position with 
the American Football League's Oakland Raiders in 1960.
  During his career, Flores also played for the Buffalo Bills and the 
Kansas City Chiefs, winning his first Super Bowl as quarterback with 
the latter in 1969. Following his retirement, Flores worked as an 
assistant coach with the Buffalo Bills and Oakland Raiders, later being 
named head coach for the Raiders in 1979 and leading the team to Super 
Bowl victories in 1980 and 1983.
  After working as the President and General Manager of the Seattle 
Seahawks, Flores went on to lead the Seahawks as head coach for three 
seasons before spending over 20 years as a radio analyst with the 
Raiders.
  Despite his incredible success, Flores never forget his roots. His 
foundation, the Tom Flores Foundation, raised nearly 2 million dollars 
for Sanger Unified School District art, science, and athletic programs. 
In addition to being the first Hispanic quarterback in the American 
professional football, Flores is also the first Hispanic head coach in 
NFL history. The son of immigrants, he is an inspiration to countless 
young athletes in the Central Valley and all over the country.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to 
join me in congratulating Tom Flores and honoring his contributions to 
the NFL and the Central Valley.

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