[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 11]
[House]
[Page 15768]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



             MINNESOTANS MOURN THE DEATH OF KOREY STRINGER

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Ramstad) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. RAMSTAD. Mr. Speaker, the people of Minnesota and Minnesota 
Vikings football fans around the world are mourning today because we 
have had a tragic death in the family.
  Minnesotans are devastated over the loss of Korey Stringer, the 
gifted all-pro Minnesota Vikings football player, loving husband and 
father, popular hero to Minnesota kids and respected role model in our 
great State.
  As Vikings head coach Dennis Green put it, ``We have lost a brother, 
a teammate and a friend. Everybody loved, respected and admired Korey 
Stringer. He was our gift from heaven.''
  Mr. Speaker, Minnesota lost more than just the anchor of the Vikings 
offensive line when Korey Stringer died at 1:50 this morning because of 
heatstroke. We lost much more than a Pro Bowl football player. We lost 
one of the finest people in the National Football League and our Twin 
Cities community.
  As my friend Minnesota Vikings all-pro wide receiver Cris Carter said 
yesterday, ``There was not a more well-liked player on our football 
team, but it's far greater than about football.''
  Korey was in his seventh season as a Viking after he was drafted in 
the first round in 1995 as a 20-year-old from Ohio State. Even though 
Korey was a native of Warren, Ohio, he chose to make the Twin Cities 
area his permanent home. He was a huge man physically, 6 feet 4, 335 
pounds, and his heart was even bigger.
  Known as a gentle giant, Korey Stringer gave so much to our Twin 
Cities community. He established Korey's Crew community service 
programs at local schools and at the St. Paul public library, and he 
was always available to help kids when help was needed. He loved to 
visit kids in local hospitals and schools, and he was one of the most 
involved Vikings in our community.

                              {time}  2330

  Brad Madson, Director of Community Relations for the Vikings said 
yesterday, ``Korey was one of a handful of players who wanted to get 
involved in the community. When he wasn't performing community service 
as part of his own Korey's Crew program, he was there supporting his 
teammates' community efforts.''
  A fifth-grade teacher at Bancroft Elementary in South Minneapolis, 
where Korey Stringer visited the kids weekly to talk about the 
importance of reading and staying in school, paid tribute to Korey 
yesterday by saying, ``Korey Stringer was not commanding or brash. He 
was genuine and honest, and kids were drawn to him like a magnet.
  ``When Stringer visited schools, he signed autographs, shook hands 
and posed for photographs. But then he sat down and listened to the 
students' stories. He made them smile and laugh. And he came with his 
oft-repeated message: Read, stay in school, be responsible, be 
respectful.''
  Another teacher said yesterday, ``A lot of times celebrities come and 
they spend 5 to 10 minutes, give a speech and then leave. Not Korey 
Stringer. He arrived early, greeted each youth, took photos with them, 
asked them about their favorite books and talked to them about them. He 
stayed until the last kid left. Not only did the Vikings lose a good 
football player, but the community lost a good man.''
  USA Today had a wonderful story in today's edition about Korey's love 
and concern for others. Just last week, Korey visited with Steven 
Arnold, who had been an assistant coach when Stringer played at Harding 
High School in Warren, Ohio. Coach Arnold told Stringer they were 
having equipment problems with a local youth football team, not enough 
money to buy equipment. Stringer went right out to his truck and signed 
over his Pro Bowl to the youth football team. That was Korey Stringer.
  Mr. Speaker, Minnesota Vikings owner Red McCombs summed it up well 
when he said, ``We have lost a truly remarkable man who was an 
outstanding husband, father and football player.''
  My good friend of many years, former Viking Joe Senser, who is now 
the radio voice of the Minnesota Vikings, said, ``You will not find a 
better family man who loved his family more.''
  Korey's loving wife Kelci, 3 year-old son Kodie and his extended 
family are in the thoughts and prayers of all of us. Korey, you might 
be gone, but you will never be forgotten by the people of Minnesota.

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