[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 12220]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



   HONORING BOBBY MITCHELL'S TEN YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE LEUKEMIA & 
                            LYMPHOMA SOCIETY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. THOMAS M. DAVIS

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 23, 2000

  Mr. DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great honor to rise 
today to pay tribute to Bobby Mitchell's ten years of service to the 
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Before contributing to the Leukemia & 
Lymphoma Society, Bobby starred for the Cleveland Browns and Washington 
Redskins of the National Football League (NFL) from 1958-1968. His 
prolific football career earned him election to the Hall of Fame in 
1983. Today, Bobby Mitchell serves as the Assistant General Manager for 
the Washington Redskins. In addition to his managerial duties, Bobby 
has made defeating leukemia a goal of his since his pro-football days.
  Bobby's motivation to beat leukemia, is linked to the death of a 
friend, Ernie Davis, a leukemia victim. Ironically, former Heisman 
trophy winner, Davis, was traded from the Washington Redskins to the 
Cleveland Browns in 1961 for Bobby Mitchell. To prevent leukemia from 
seizing other gifted citizens lives, Bobby joined forces with David 
Timko, Executive Director of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, in 1990. 
Their mission was to raise money for leukemia research to help find a 
cure for this dreadful disease. As a solution, Bobby proposed hosting a 
golf and tennis tournament featuring members of the football and 
basketball Hall of Fame. Through Bobby's dedication, the event has 
become the nation's largest annual gathering of Hall of Famers.
  Since the Hall of Fame Golf & Tennis Classic's inception a decade 
ago, the tournament has drawn such legendary names as Joe Namath, Bill 
Russell, and Oscar Robertson. Their presence has assisted in raising 
over $1.5 million for leukemia research. Thanks to these philanthropic 
contributions, we can now generate public awareness, provide support 
programs for patients and their families, and educate health 
professionals about the latest advances in leukemia diagnosis and 
treatment. I am confident that Bobby and his fellow Hall of Famers have 
brought us one step closer to a cure.
  It gives me great pleasure to announce that the 10th anniversary of 
the Bobby Mitchell Chrysler Plymouth Hall of Fame Golf & Tennis Classic 
will take place on the weekend of July 8th and 9th at the Lansdowne 
Resort in Lansdowne, Virginia. Players and fans alike will join in 
remembering Tom Landry, legendary coach of the Dallas Cowboys and 
winner of two super bowls, himself a leukemia victim. Seeing a 
celebrated citizen in Tom Landry pass away, highlights the need for 
more Bobby Mitchell's who are willing to help find a cure for leukemia.
  Mr. Speaker, in closing I would like to thank Bobby Mitchell for his 
ten years of service to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. In hosting the 
Hall of Fame Golf & Tennis Classc for the last ten years, Bobby has led 
a revolution of football and basketball Hall of Famers against the 
dreadful disease of leukemia. With his leadership and selfless 
dedication to the cause, valuable funds have been raised for leukemia 
research. I know my colleagues join me in honoring Bobby Mitchell for 
this ten years of service to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

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