[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 54 (Friday, March 24, 2023)]
[House]
[Pages H1429-H1434]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING BRUCE ROLLINSON

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of 
January 9, 2023, the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Womack) is recognized 
for 60 minutes as the designee of the majority leader.


                             General Leave

  Mr. WOMACK. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to 
submit extraneous material for the Record.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Arkansas?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. WOMACK. Mr. Speaker, in this magnificent Chamber, we have honored 
Presidents and other heads of state. We have honored titans of business 
and industry, science and medicine, the arts and entertainment, and 
academia and sports. Young and old, we have welcomed the best and 
brightest America has to offer, and we have been the envy of the world 
when it comes to personal achievement.
  Mr. Speaker, that is why I am here today, to recognize and honor an 
individual with remarkable accomplishment. His name is Bruce Rollinson. 
He is affectionately known as Rollo.
  For the past 34 years, he has been the head football coach of one of 
America's truly elite high school football teams, the Mater Dei 
Monarchs of Santa Ana, California.
  Rollo announced some weeks ago that he was going to retire from 
coaching. Now, as a fan of high school athletics, I could not let the 
moment pass without recognizing this legend in coaching.
  I first got to know Rollo back in 2019 when he brought his football 
team to the Nation's Capital for a game against one of this area's top 
teams. I was asked by a parent of one of his players to escort the team 
through the United States Capitol. Little did I know that team happened 
to be the Nation's top-ranked high school football team and was led by 
a young quarterback who was on his way to glory.
  That quarterback was a kid named Bryce Young, who that very week had

[[Page H1430]]

decommitted from the University of Southern California and announced to 
the world that he was going to become a member of the Crimson Tide at 
Alabama. As you know, this young man became the second such player 
under Coach Rollinson to win the coveted Heisman Trophy.
  The tour became one of my favorite memories of my service in 
Congress. The relationship I forged with Rollo and his staff and 
players has been life-enhancing for me.
  While most who follow Mater Dei and Coach Rollinson are well aware of 
the records, well aware of the championships and the elite style of 
football they represent, I became fascinated with Bruce the man, not 
just the coach, and his legacy of building young men of character and 
positioning them for success.
  Football was his method. Excellence was always the goal. Mr. Speaker, 
the results speak for themselves.
  Today, Mr. Speaker, we are going to highlight a lot of Rollo's 
credentials. It is fitting, in my judgment, to begin this tribute with 
a colleague of mine who knows the Mater Dei success story better than 
anyone in this Chamber and certainly anyone in Congress. He is   Mike 
Gallagher. He is a Mater Dei alum, and he is here to share some 
personal insights into this man we honor today.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Gallagher).
  Mr. GALLAGHER. Mr. Speaker, I rise as a proud Mater Dei graduate, a 
proud Mater Dei Monarch, and I rise to honor a Rollinson, but probably 
not the one you are thinking of.
  Laurie Rollinson was my AP U.S. history teacher and imbued in me a 
love of United States history, a fascination with our country's history 
and values. The more I think about it and look back on it, it set me on 
a path to not only further exploring those issues in college and 
graduate school but to serving my country in the United States Marine 
Corps and, ultimately, serving my country in the United States 
Congress.

                              {time}  1145

  Among Coach Rollinson's many accolades, perhaps none is higher than 
he out-kicked his coverage in terms of the woman he married, and she 
had a profound impact on my life. Thank you to Laurie Rollinson, though 
we are here today to recognize Coach Bruce Rollinson.
  The other reason--I just want to mention the true power in the 
Rollinson house because--and this is a bit of a shameful confession--I 
was a nerd in high school. I spent more time studying for Mrs. 
Rollinson's class than I did pursuing athletic excellence. I was not a 
member of the Mater Dei football team. I went to many a game and 
cheered on from afar.
  In fact, I actually played flag football with the other Heisman 
trophy winner that Coach Rollinson coached, Matt Leinart, in junior 
high. I was so bad, I dropped every pass that Matt Leinart threw to me. 
I was intimidated to play--too intimidated to play for Rollo.
  Even if you weren't on the team, any student at Mater Dei was 
profoundly impacted by Coach Rollinson. There was nothing better at 
Mater Dei than a pep rally before a big game in which Coach Rollinson 
would come out there with his raspy voice and fire up the entire 
student body.
  I have been to 8th & I ceremonies in the Marine Corps. I have been to 
all sorts of fancy State visits. There is nothing with more energy and 
more excitement than a Mater Dei pep rally where Coach Rollinson is 
talking to the student body.
  The thing that Coach Rollinson did was not talk about the Xs and Os 
of football, that would have gone way over my head. I would have 
immediately stuffed myself back into a locker if that was the topic of 
conversation. He connected the playing of football to the pursuit of 
excellence and what we were all there to do, which was to honor God.
  Part of the Mater Dei mission--I have always felt since I started to 
learn a bit more about the combination of athletic excellence, academic 
excellence and leadership, I found that there are a lot of similarities 
between Mater Dei's core values and the core values of the United 
States Marine Corps.
  We say: Honor, courage, commitment in the United States Marine Corps. 
They say: Honor, glory, and love at Mater Dei. I found myself thinking 
a lot about those core values.
  Honor: What does it mean to pursue honor on a football field?
  I would argue that there is honor in simply doing your job well, 
regardless of what position you play.
  As Coach Rollinson famously said: ``You create the effort, God 
controls the outcome.'' There is honor in putting in the effort on the 
field in order to do your absolute best. That culture of honor and 
excellence permeated Mater Dei, and it was a direct result of Coach 
Rollinson's leadership.
  We honor God simply by doing our job well: whether you are a coach, 
whether you are a player, whether you are a United States Congressman, 
whether you are a President, whether you are anybody pursuing honorable 
work.
  In the Marine Corps we talk about this as ``ductus exemplo,'' ``lead 
by example.'' Do your job well and you can inspire others.
  Glory: Glory is obvious on a football field. I have colleagues who 
are national champions. Coach is a four-time national champion. You 
have had your share of glory on the football field. You have also 
probably had your share of setbacks and heartbreak, but ultimately you 
are not there to glorify yourself, you are not there to glorify even 
the program, per se. It is all about glorifying God, glorifying that 
pursuit of excellence, and glorifying the community that you are an 
integral part of building at Mater Dei High School.
  Glory on the football field translated to a sense that we are all 
part of something greater than ourselves at Mater Dei. It was as 
palpable as a student. That is a direct result of your leadership, 
Coach Rollinson.
  Finally, love: I don't want to get all, you know--we don't do a lot 
of trust falls and hugging here in the House Republican Caucus. I think 
the reason that football is so compelling, even more so than any of the 
other sports, is this sense of sacrifice and genuine love for your 
teammates, more so than any other sport. I think it is a pure team 
sport. That willingness to sacrifice for your teammates is the ultimate 
expression of love and leadership, I would argue.
  Coach Rollinson, your ability to instill those values--those core 
values of honor, glory, and love--into everything that you did in 
leading the Mater Dei football team had a profound impact not only on 
the lives of the players that played their hearts out for you, but on 
the lives of every single student that walked through the doors of 
Mater Dei High School.
  I still think about it to this day. Though, I regret not being able 
to call myself a former player of yours, I feel that I owe you a 
significant debt of gratitude for setting that example of leadership 
that I got to witness at a very early age.
  We can list all your titles, we can list your wins, we can list your 
national championships, we can list all the great players that you 
coached, but it is impossible to quantify the impact that you have had 
on tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, of lives because of 
what you meant to Mater Dei High School.
  Thank you, Coach Rollinson, not only for everything you accomplished 
on the field, but for everything that you accomplished off the field. I 
stand in awe of it.
  I am reminded of the quote--let me paraphrase it a little bit: Some 
men have to spend their whole lives wondering if they made a 
difference. You do not have to wonder about that, Coach Rollinson. You 
have made a profound difference on the lives of thousands of young men 
and women who attended Mater Dei High School.
  Thank you for your leadership. It is an honor to be here today. You 
have even inspired colleagues from other parts of the country to come 
here on the floor of the United States House of Representatives to 
honor your accomplishments.
  Mr. WOMACK. Mr. Speaker, back in October I was invited by our current 
majority leader, then the minority whip, to accompany him on a West 
Coast swing. We landed in Santa Ana, California, about 2 hours ahead of 
a program that we were going to have.

  I asked the whip at the time: What are we going to do for 2 hours?

[[Page H1431]]

  I think the answer was: I don't know. We will go find some coffee or 
we will kill some time before our program begins at 5.
  I said: Well, I have an idea, why don't we Google how far Mater Dei 
High School is, and let's go over there and watch the high school 
football team play. They are going to practice in a few minutes. He 
agreed to do that, and we did.
  It was a remarkable visit: five Members of Congress with a police 
escort pulling up to Mater Dei, and getting to see this remarkable 
football team ready to practice.
  My colleague, Mr. Gallagher, talked about sacrifice. This next 
gentleman is a living example of somebody who has endured personal 
sacrifice on behalf of something greater than himself--this country.
  Mr. Speaker, it is my honor and privilege to yield to the gentleman 
from Louisiana (Mr. Scalise), the distinguished majority leader of the 
U.S. House of Representatives, and my friend.
  Mr. SCALISE. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from Arkansas for the 
introduction, but I especially thank him for having the idea to call 
Coach Rollo, as we call him, and say: Can these Members of Congress 
come on over and spend a few minutes to see what true excellence is all 
about?
  That was a treat that we got to experience for that next hour and a 
half or so, to watch what so many young men through the years got to 
experience.
  You can only think of the joy and the treat it was for those students 
at Mater Dei High School who had the great fortune to play for Coach 
Bruce Rollinson over those years. We just saw it in a brief period of 
time, and since getting to know him over these last few months, we see 
what kind of leader of men Coach Rollo is. We surely saw it in the eyes 
of those young high school students.
  Although, I will say, when I was looking up to some of those six-
foot-plus linemen, many of them looked like they might have played for 
the New Orleans Saints. I would have encouraged a few of them to go and 
play for--I didn't want to get into trouble and encourage them to play 
for my alma mater of LSU, but they could have been playing in the NFL. 
In fact, many have gone on to play at higher levels.
  This year, maybe the number one pick in the NFL draft, Bryce Young, 
had the honor of playing for Coach Rollo, as did Matt Leinart, who 
tried to throw a pass to my colleague, Congressman Gallagher.
  The treat was just watching the character of those young men at Mater 
Dei High School. That doesn't happen by accident, it comes through 
leadership.
  As Coach Rollo and I were talking about earlier, I am sure when 
people look at his career--and we didn't know at the time that he was 
going to retire when we met with him just a few months ago. At the 
time, his team was the number one high school team in the country. That 
was not anything new to Coach Rollo.
  A lot of people would look at all of the accolades. For a State as 
large as California to win eight State championships, six of those were 
deemed national titles--a high school national champion. That doesn't 
just happen by itself.
  Sure, it takes great players, but to do it year-in and year-out and 
to build that record of excellence, it takes a special leader--a leader 
who touches the hearts of young men and shapes them.
  What I recognized the most, it wasn't about the size or the physical 
abilities of these high school players, it was their character. You 
could see it just as we were talking to them.
  They were all incredibly polite and respectful. They were eager to 
learn from Coach Rollo. They came to learn from him, and that is what a 
real leader is all about.
  As we talked about earlier, we had the opportunity to listen to Drew 
Brees a few days ago. Of course, I have known Drew for many years, as a 
fan of the New Orleans Saints I had gotten to know him--talk about a 
person of character who led us not only to a Super Bowl, but he would 
probably tell you the NFL Man of the Year Award--the Walter Payton Man 
of the Year Award might be the accomplishment he appreciates the most 
because it really signifies what he did in communities.
  One of the things he said to us the other day, he was talking about 
how young people--he was talking about it in relation to his kids. They 
might not always listen to what you say, but they watch everything you 
do. All of those young men got to watch Coach Rollo and watch his 
leadership. That is what really lasts with them.
  The trophies and the championships, those are all things that you can 
put up on a shelf. You saw three Heisman trophies in a box in that 
school, but it was really the character and the values that he stands 
for.
  The old sports adage that ``game recognizes game.'' I have another 
great high school coach in my State, Coach J.T. Curtis--John Curtis. He 
won State championships, multiple championships, over the years. He was 
the second most-winning high school coach in the country. He won this 
year's State championship in Louisiana.

                              {time}  1200

  I texted him. I said: I don't know if you know him, but I am here 
with Coach Rollo at Mater Dei High School.
  He texted me back, and he said: I know Coach Rollo. We got to run 
into each other.
  He knew who you were, and he had nothing but tremendous respect for 
you and what you have done.
  When I saw him the night when he won the State championship a few 
weeks ago in Louisiana, I said: Do you know that Coach Rollo just 
announced he is retiring?
  He didn't know that yet. He almost teared up because of the respect 
that he has for you.
  So as Congressman Gallagher said a little while ago, while you have 
touched the hearts of so many at Mater Dei High School, your legendary 
character and your values transcend and reach people all across this 
great country.
  I appreciate that my colleague from Arkansas took the time to reach 
out and that we got to go and spend some time with you because 
everybody who has gotten the opportunity to meet with you has come out 
a better person.
  Thank you for your years dedicated to young men. I know there are 
better things ahead for you in the future. This isn't the last chapter. 
What a legacy you have left for so many.
  Congratulations to you, Coach, on your many years of service at Mater 
Dei.
  Mr. WOMACK. Mr. Speaker, I thank the leader for his remarks.
  Mr. Speaker, another Member of Congress who was on that trip to the 
West Coast was my friend from Texas, Pat Fallon. Pat played for Lou 
Holtz at Notre Dame--a national championship when he was there. I have 
got to tell you, Mr. Speaker, when we walked in the foyer of the 
gymnasium and saw the trophy case with three prominent Heisman Trophies 
side by side, it made an impression on me because you can walk into 
virtually any high school in America and not see one. But at Mater Dei 
there are three, and one of those, in particular, ended up moving on to 
the University of Notre Dame where he won the Heisman Trophy in 1964.
  Here to share some of his insights, as well, based on that trip is my 
friend from Texas, Pat Fallon.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Fallon).
  Mr. FALLON. Mr. Speaker, I thank the colonel for yielding.
  Mr. Speaker, I think it shouldn't be lost on anyone watching that the 
gentleman is talking about service and selflessness. We have a colonel 
who dedicated his life to this country both serving here on the House 
floor and also in the United States military.
  One of the greater Americans that you will know, Mr. Speaker, from 
the 21st century is   Steve Scalise, and then we have the coach, Coach 
Rollinson. We also have Coach Hopkins and Coach Higgins as well. They 
were great coaches, and they were also great men.
  It has been said that football builds character. I disagree with 
that. Football reveals character. Having been a player, that Heisman 
Trophy was not mine. I didn't get any votes nor did I get invited to 
the combine, but it was a great experience.
  My greatest football memory is not winning a national championship 
for the University of Notre Dame. It is a

[[Page H1432]]

game that we won in high school that we were supposed to lose by 40 
points and we won by 31--literally. I had a Coach Mike Murgo. He had 
one eye distinctly bigger than the other. He talked like this. He said: 
I ain't cross-eyed. I just got one eye bigger than the other, boys.
  The reason why we beat a team that should have beaten us by 40 was 
about belief. It was about belief.
  Coach, what you have instilled in thousands of young men is belief.
  People will say that you were a great coach. Again, I am going to 
take a little umbrage with that. You are a great teacher, a teacher of 
men.
  Football is unique, as Congressman Gallagher said, because it is not 
a contact sport. Basketball is a contact sport. Soccer is a contact 
sport. Football is a collision sport, and it hurts. I had a couple of 
concussions in Notre Dame--in practice, full disclosure.
  You remind me of Coach Holtz. You are cut from the same cloth. On our 
national championship rings it says: trust, love, commitment.
  Football is unique because you have 11 men out on that field who have 
to trust each other because a collision could come your way. You have 
to trust. You have to love one another. I look up in the gallery and 
see so many people. You are not from Virginia or Maryland, so you 
couldn't drive here. So many people flew across this country to honor 
you and to honor what you have built. It is not the 300-plus wins and 
over a dozen championships State and national. It is the trust, love, 
and the commitment that you had for your family, for your community, 
and for those young men.
  Mr. Speaker, we are in the presence of a Hall of Famer in greatness.
  It was a wonderful day to see you operating with that team. What 
impressed me so much about those young men was not, by the way, only 
their height. I took a picture with the offensive lineman. I am 6 feet 
tall and 230 pounds, and I look like a hobbit. My son said: Daddy, are 
they going to have a second breakfast?
  He was looking at my hairy feet.
  Each one of those men when we went and the colonel shared some words 
and the then-whip now-majority leader shared some words were so 
impressive. They are the future of our country. That gives me solace.
  What we are all here for and why we serve in this august Chamber is 
we want to ensure that America's best days have yet to be counted. That 
is what you have done for your entire life.
  I always wonder--we are all going to have a tombstone one day--what 
is it going to say on yours?
  It is not going to say that you had a big house or she drove a fast 
car or they had a pile of money. It is all about how we loved and whom 
we loved.
  You have made a tremendous impact. You are a great American. The best 
compliment I can ever pay someone is that the world is a better place 
because you are in it.
  Thank you, Coach, and God bless you.
  Mr. WOMACK. Mr. Speaker, I thank Pat for his words.
  Yes, we have come a long way since the days when you played with 
leather helmets without face masks.
  There is little doubt that coaching a player who wins the Heisman 
Trophy is a distinction that few can claim. Rollo has coached two.
  The first was Matt Leinart, the 2001 graduate of Mater Dei whose 
playing career at the University of Southern California earned him 
college football's highest honor. I spoke with Matt ahead of this 
tribute, and he asked me to include these words into the Record in 
recognizing his former high school coach.
  Matt Leinart:

       As an athlete growing up, you have big dreams, and you can 
     be only so lucky to have people that can help you reach those 
     dreams. Coach Rollo had that impact in my life. He was not 
     only a coach, but a mentor and a father figure. He has had a 
     tremendous impact in my life in only ways that he knows.
       This past year has been one of the best of my life because 
     I got to watch my 16-year-old son play for Mater Dei and play 
     for my coach.
       As I watched Cole throw his first varsity touchdown pass, 
     he walked off and hugged Rollo on the sideline. It was a full 
     circle moment for me that I will always remember. Rollo is 
     family and one of the greatest men I know. Thank you for 
     teaching me the many life lessons that I have needed to grow 
     into the man I am today. Love you Coach.
       Matt Leinart.

  But there was a second Heisman Trophy winner who followed, and I 
spoke of him earlier.
  Ms. Kamlager-Dove is a colleague of mine in this bipartisan tribute 
to Bruce Rollinson. Sydney Kamlager-Dove represents the 37th District 
in California, and she has some special words for the coach and I 
believe some comments from his second Heisman Trophy winner.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. 
Kamlager-Dove).
  Ms. KAMLAGER-DOVE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise as a mother of a Loyola Cub, a formidable rival 
to the Mater Dei Monarchs, but I have the courage enough to say that 
Mater Dei is a world-class high school that prepares young men for the 
highest echelons of sports, academic, and life achievement.
  They own that accolade in part to the legendary coach, Bruce 
Rollinson.
  Coach Rollo, as he is affectionately known, has been as committed to 
winning high school national championships as he has been to developing 
these students into productive young men.
  Some famous Monarchs heralding from this fine school including 
USC's--my alma mater--Matt Leinart, Matt Barkley, and Todd Marinovich. 
They are all success stories in different ways.
  I do want to add that the JV football is looking pretty Division I 
ready this year, and they are a daunting lineup for anyone who is 
trying to oppose them.
  This is, as was mentioned, the only high school to produce three 
Heisman Trophy winners.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to share and have included in the Record a 
quote from Heisman Trophy winner, powerhouse, and Pasadena-bred Bryce 
Young, one of the best quarterbacks college football has seen in the 
past decade. Yes, I said it.

       Congratulations to Coach Rollo, who has had such a positive 
     impact in my life. From when I first entered his program, he 
     always believed in me and pushed me to be the best version of 
     myself on and off the field.
       While he is retiring from coaching football, I know he will 
     always be there for the young men who had the privilege to 
     call Coach Rollo their coach.
       I am honored to have played for him and now call him a 
     friend.

  Mr. WOMACK. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for her remarks.
  Bruce Rollinson is a 1967 graduate of Mater Dei. His team won the CIF 
4-A championship in 1965 and played in the game of the decade against 
Anaheim High School in Anaheim Stadium. He played defensive back and 
wide receiver for John McKay at USC. He played in the 1970 Rose Bowl 
when USC beat Michigan. Coach Rollo became the head coach in Mater Dei 
in 1988 after 7 years as an assistant.
  By the time it is all over, here are the numbers that qualify him for 
legendary status and precisely the reason we are standing here today:
  Overall record: 341 wins, 87 tough losses, and two draws.
  Eight CIF championships, four State championships, five national 
championships, and a parade of NCAA players, many of whom went on to 
prosperous national football league careers.

  Mr. Speaker, I have also asked one of my distinguished colleagues 
from California across the aisle to join us in this tribute today. He 
happens to be Rollo's own Congressman from the Santa Ana, California, 
area.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from California (Mr. Correa).
  Mr. CORREA. Coach Rollinson, congratulations. You put not Santa Ana 
but Santa Ana on the map.
  Thank you very much. You have often said that you create the effort 
and God controls the outcome. These are words to live by. Thank you 
very much.
  Last year, I had the opportunity when I was at home on a Friday 
night--one of my favorite activities is to go and watch high school 
football games. Santa Ana Bowl is about a mile away from my house.
  This night you were there coaching Mater Dei vs. St. John Bosco. It 
was an epic game of course.
  As I got there and looked around, I was on the sidelines--your side, 
by the

[[Page H1433]]

way, not Bosco's side--and next to me I saw the USC head coach and 
Bama's head coach. There must have been every head coach in the top 20 
schools in this country watching your game and watching your athletes 
play football that night.
  It was unbelievable.
  At the end of the game we had a bunch of helicopters come by and take 
these coaches away. It was an unbelievable night.
  We are going to honor you today, an honor well-deserved. You are 
Orange County's all-time leader, and the winningest coach.
  You graduated from Mater Dei High School in 1967, and in 1966, you 
played against Anaheim High School--my High School. I am a Colonist 
too. You played against my coach, Clare Van Hoorebeke.

                              {time}  1215

  This is our helmet, sir. Do you remember it?
  I wore this helmet that night in 1966. It was the game of the decade. 
Anaheim Stadium, a record number of people attending that night; almost 
33,000 people in attendance that night in 1966.
  Coach Rollinson, if I look at this poster here, we edged you out that 
night. We won, 12-7. It is my understanding that you scored those 7 
points. Of course, as you can see, the players at the bottom there, I 
think that is probably you, one of those players is you.
  Coach Van Hoorebeke preceded you in Anaheim, Orange County. I think 
we all learned from him. If I think back to the days I played football 
under Coach Van Hoorebeke, the one thing the coach taught me is when 
you get hit, when you get knocked down, when you get bloodied, you get 
up, and you keep going.
  I still remember those days. Three-hour football practices. No water, 
no rest. Heaven help you, if you made a mistake; you had to go run 
laps, full uniform on, helmet on. That was the discipline we grew up 
with in Orange County.
  Coach Rollinson, I am telling you what you already know; we were a 
community. We are a community in Orange County. I am honored to say 
today that we are a family.
  I often would drive down Bristol Street to take my kids to the local 
elementary school, and I would watch your team practice, admiring you 
and respecting you because, sir, you put us on the map again and again 
and again.
  You graduated from Mater Dei. You came back to teach in 1976 at Mater 
Dei. That is the year I graduated from Anaheim High School. Like my 
colleague Mr. Womack said, four national championships. With the 
exception of maybe one or two universities, more Heisman trophies than 
anybody else in the country.
  I am not going to say good-bye, sir, but I will say that you will be 
missed as a head coach, and I know and I do hope your successor will 
carry on your tradition because we need to make sure we continue to 
build champions in Santa Ana, California.
  Let me conclude by saying that success of individuals like you, you 
have got to have a team partner. Mrs. Rollinson, thank you for giving 
him the strength to do what he does. I think at the end of the day, we 
all married up, and we did well.
  Like my colleagues have said, you are a great American. I would also 
say you are a great member of our Orange County family. Thank you. God 
bless. Go Colonists and go Mater Dei. Thank you very much, Coach 
Rollinson.
  Mr. WOMACK. Mr. Speaker, a number of friends, family, and colleagues 
of Coach Rollinson wanted to offer their congratulations as part of 
this tribute today. Time will not permit me to read all of those 
comments, but I do want to read one because this comes from the 
Rollinson family. This is from Caroline Flanagan and Catherine--who I 
know as Cat--Pederson:
  ``We are so incredibly proud of our dad, Coach Rollinson, known to 
his grandchildren as Coach or even occasionally, Coachie.
  ``Growing up, he made us a part of the Mater Dei football family, but 
he also made sure that when he came home football was on the back 
burner, and he was just our dad. He stayed up late to help us study for 
tests, got up with us when we had an early-start class, and was present 
in every way.
  ``When we were in college, a call from him was an instant mood boost, 
and he knew how to fire us up for a test so that we walked in feeling 
like we could either take an exam or play a football game.
  ``He is truly the best person we know. He lives his values day in and 
day out. He makes us better people, and he has that rare gift of being 
able to bring out the best in everyone who knows him. His faith and his 
family are what drive him, and for the past 7 years we've gotten to see 
him in possibly his greatest role--as a grandfather. Our kids get to 
learn from the best and be loved by the best.
  ``Coach Rollinson has won numerous championships and accolades on the 
football field, but we are most proud of him for who he is to our 
family, and we can't wait to see what the next chapter brings. We love 
you, Coach.''
  Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record of today's tribute the remaining 
comments from family, friends, fellow coaches, and others.

                    Tribute to Coach Bruce Rollinson


                              John Hopkins

       Rollo, from my initial hiring in 1989, ``get him a shirt'' 
     to your last game in 2022, it has been my honor and privilege 
     to have coached with you. Your daily message of, ``you 
     control the effort and God controls the outcome'', has made 
     me a better coach, husband, father, grandfather, and 
     businessman. Competition is what has made this Country GREAT, 
     and competition amongst our players and Coaches is what you 
     have instilled in us, to be Great. We have been together for 
     34 years and 430 games, and while we have had some highs and 
     some lows, the highs have far outweighed the lows, and the 
     experience coaching with you is a memory I will cherish 
     forever! Love ya brother, and all the best . . . Coach Hops


                               Leo Boese

       THANK YOU, on behalf of all your players over the last 34 
     years for the love, dedication and life lessons you have 
     taught them. THANK YOU, on the half of all the parents who 
     have experienced through their sons the many life lessons you 
     have taught them. THANK YOU, on behalf of all your coaches 
     over the years and your ability to teach them what an 
     outstanding husband, father, leader and mentor is. THANK YOU, 
     for teaching all of us discipline, toughness, dedication, 
     loyalty, hard work, accountability, perseverance, how to 
     handle adversity, and integrity in all we strive to do. THANK 
     YOU, constantly demonstrating to all of us the qualities of a 
     true Monarch, POISE--PRIDE--COURAGE. For all of those you 
     have touched and imprinted in our hearts and minds the 
     virtues of our three stripes! THANK YOU, always taking time 
     to listen to your players or their families in times of need. 
     THANK YOU, being a true and unwavering friend. You will never 
     be forgotten by those you have touched . . . Leo Boese


                              Geri Campeau

       Bruce Rollinson has been a dedicated and inspiring teacher, 
     mentor and friend for over 35 years. His passion for 
     education and commitment to developing his players is truly 
     admirable. A true servant leader, Bruce challenges those he 
     works with to achieve their full potential through the values 
     of pride, poise and courage. I am honored to know him and 
     blessed to be his friend.


       Rollinson Family--Caroline Flanagan and Catherine Pederson

       We are so incredibly proud of our dad, Coach Rollinson, 
     known to his grandchildren as ``Coach'' or even occasionally, 
     ``Coachie.'' Growing up he made us a part of the Mater Dei 
     football family, but he also made sure that when he came home 
     football was on the back burner and he was just our dad. He 
     stayed up late to help us study for tests, got up with us 
     when we had an early start class, and was present in every 
     way. When we were in college a call from him was an instant 
     mood boost, and he knew how to fire us up for a test so that 
     we walked in feeling like we could either take an exam or 
     play a football game! He is truly the best person we know. He 
     lives his values day in and day out. He makes us better 
     people, and he has that rare gift of being able to bring out 
     the best in everyone who knows him. His faith and his family 
     are what drive him, and for the past seven years we've gotten 
     to see him in possibly his greatest role--as a grandfather. 
     Our kids get to learn from the best, and be loved by the 
     best. Coach Rollinson has won numerous championships and 
     accolades on the football field, but we are most proud of him 
     for who he is to our family, and we can't wait to see what 
     the next chapter brings. We love you, Coach!


           Michael Brennan--President, Mater Dei High School

       Bruce Rollinson has been a dedicated Mater Dei High School 
     employee for 47 years and our Head Football Coach for the 
     last 34 years/seasons. While known for being a winning 
     football coach, he is equally known for being a eucharistic 
     minister during Mass. His love for God, Christ and Mary Mater 
     Dei is first and foremost who he is. This faithful 
     relationship allows him to express a deep commitment and 
     authentic care towards each and every football player. His 
     players understand that he loves and cares for them

[[Page H1434]]

     and thus are willing to accept the grind of being a member of 
     the Mater Dei High School Football program. On behalf of the 
     entire community, and with Honor-Glory-Love, we humbly say, 
     `Thank You Coach!'


  Patrick Murphy--Former President, Principal & Assistant Principal, 
                   Mater Dei High School (1990-2020)

       It was my tremendous honor and privilege to work alongside 
     Mater Dei High School Football Coach Bruce Rollinson for 30 
     years. Bruce enjoyed unprecedented success on the football 
     field but more importantly Coach Rollo positively touched and 
     influenced the lives of countless Monarchs off the field in 
     so many profound ways. Bruce Rollinson impacted thousands of 
     young men and women, in the classroom, on the athletic fields 
     and through his philanthropic outreach efforts for almost 5 
     decades at Mater Dei High School. Bruce's faith, passion, 
     enthusiasm and commitment to Catholic Education and to his 
     beloved alma mater are unmatched. The positive impact that 
     Coach Rollo had on growth and development of MDHS will be 
     felt for decades to come and I am blessed to have been able 
     to call Bruce Rollinson my friend for 3 decades. Bruce, 
     congratulations on an amazing and unparalleled career of 
     incredible success, influential impact and caring outreach as 
     an educator and coach. You truly are One of a Kind and Mater 
     Dei High School has been blessed with your presence for 
     almost 50 years. All my very best to you, Laurie, your 
     beautiful daughters and your wonderful grandchildren. Take 
     care and God Bless, my friend.


                              Kevin Turner

       I will preface by noting I have had the honor to work as a 
     broadcaster in Southern California covering high school, 
     college and professional sports for 30 years. What I have 
     always found remarkable about the coach was his God-given 
     ability to communicate and teach not just football but what 
     it takes to champion life skills that extend well beyond the 
     gridiron. The coach always talks about his former players, 
     not the ones that are NFL stars, Heisman trophy winners, or 
     olympians, but the young men and women who run companies, 
     fighting fires, practicing law, policing our streets or 
     serving our country. The everyday heroes is what coach wanted 
     the most for his players and support staff. Coach mastered 
     and executed his plan everyday and did it with passion. He 
     provided a platform and a place in what I believe is what 
     this country needs more than anything--an opportunity, that's 
     it. He had a famous saying you provide the effort God will 
     provide the outcome. Simple formula, all through structure 
     and discipline using tough love, faith-based principles and a 
     belief that through hard work and dedication dreams can come 
     true. God bless America and Bruce Rollinson.


                            Tim Strader, Jr.

       Coach Bruce Rollinson is way more than just a football 
     coach. From teaching me U.S. History 40 years ago to coaching 
     both of my sons at Mater Dei, Bruce has had a positive impact 
     on multiple generations in Southern California. While his 
     accomplishments on the field speak for itself, it is his way 
     of turning raw young athletes into respectful, faith-filled 
     young men that has set him apart. I congratulate him on an 
     incredible career and his recognition by the United States 
     House of Representatives is well deserved. Sincerely, Tim 
     Strader, Jr.


                              Josh Higgins

       It's been a great privilege to both play for Coach 
     Rollinson then get to stand by his side as a coach for so 
     many years. The effect he has had on me is one that is shared 
     by hundreds of his former players over the past 34 years as 
     Mater Dei's Head Coach.
       Coach Rollinson is foremost a wonderful husband, father, 
     and grandfather. He has led by example, especially when it 
     comes to family. His players proudly bring their families 
     back year after year to visit him and introduce their young 
     families to the man who help build them into who they have 
     become.
       A true leader and builder of men, one of the very few men I 
     have known who could both yell and challenge you without you 
     ever thinking he didn't absolutely care and love you. His 
     tremendous ability to command and lead was by continually 
     demanding high expectations while knowing he put you in a 
     position to succeed.
       Coach Rollinson always preached to parents to never make 
     excuses for their boys and for his players to always respect 
     their parents.
       He taught us to honor our country and the men and women in 
     the military who keep us safe.
       The legacy Coach Rollinson has achieved will endure for 
     generations. His fingerprints will remain on Mater Dei High 
     School in addition to the thousands of souls he has taught, 
     led, and guided to be successful people throughout life.
  Mr. WOMACK. In October, Coach Bruce Rollinson coached his last game 
after 34 years of distinguished service. The sport has said good-bye to 
a legend.
  Today, here on the floor of the people's House, you have heard of the 
remarkable accomplishments of this dedicated coaching professional.
  I want the country to know what the hundreds of young men who have 
worn the Mater Dei Monarch colors already know, that Rollo is not just 
a coach, he is a great man.
  From all of us, for my colleagues who have spoken here today, for 
sports fans across America who love and appreciate excellence in 
coaching, we offer our congratulations to Bruce Rollinson from his 
players, his coaches, his friends, and his family.
  Enjoy a well-earned retirement. Go, Monarchs.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

                          ____________________