[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 15]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 21294]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



  TRIBUTE TO LYNN SWANN ON HIS ENSHRINEMENT IN THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL 
                          LEAGUE HALL OF FAME

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TOM LANTOS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 31, 2001

  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to San Mateo 
County native and former Pittsburgh Steeler, Lynn Swann, on his recent 
induction into the National Football League Hall of Fame. Enshrinement 
in the NFL Hall of Fame is the greatest honor of any football player's 
career and is only bestowed upon the most deserving athletes. Lynn is 
unequivocally one of the greatest wide receivers ever to play 
professional football and is most deserving of this honor.
  As you are aware, Mr. Speaker, Lynn's NFL career spanned nine years, 
and included four Super Bowl victories and three Pro Bowl appearances. 
During his career, Lynn caught 364 passes for a total of 5,462 yards 
and 51 touchdowns. Known for his acrobatic and graceful catches, he 
saved his best performances for the big games, making key plays in 
Super Bowls IX, X, XIII, and XIV.
  Mr. Speaker, Lynn's football success got off to a spectacular start 
at Junipero Serra High School in San Mateo, California, in my 
Congressional district. He became a member of the Padres Varsity Squad 
as a Freshman where he was coached by Coach Jesse Freitas, Sr. Lynn was 
instrumental in Serra High School's 1967 and 1969 West Catholic 
Athletic League titles. After graduating from high school, Lynn 
attended the University of Southern California where his gridiron 
accomplishments brought him honors and recognition. He graduated with a 
degree in Public Relations in 1974.
  Lynn Swann was the number one draft pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers 
in 1974, and his impact on the team was felt in Pittsburgh immediately. 
During his rookie season Lynn immediately established himself as a 
fierce competitor. Although he suffered a concussion in the 1975 AFC 
Championship Game, he recovered in time for the Super Bowl two weeks 
later, giving a MVP performance. During Superbowl XIII, Lynn had yet 
another extraordinary performance, catching seven passes and the game 
winning touchdown.
  Mr. Speaker, Lynn has been the recipient of numerous awards and 
recognition during his career. He was named an All-American player at 
USC in 1974, and All-Pro recognitions in 1976, 1978, and 1979. He was 
named the Most Valuable Player of Super Bowl X in 1976. Lynn received 
the prestigious NAACP image award in 1981. He is a member of the 
Steelers Hall of Fame Team of the 1970's Decade, and the Silver 
Anniversary Super Bowl All-Time Team. He is also an inductee to the San 
Mateo County Sports Hall of Fame, and will be inducted into the Bay 
Area Sports Hall of Fame in 2002.
  Much of Lynn's success in life, both on and off the field, can be 
traced directly to his parents, Mildred and Willie Swann, who continue 
to work and maintain their residence in my district. His parents taught 
him the value of hard work, and more importantly, how to carry himself 
with class and dignity. Today, Lynn thanks his mother for urging him go 
to Serra High School and teaching him the value of a good education.
  Since his football career ended in 1982, Lynn Swann has been involved 
in numerous charitable involvements. These included his work as the 
National Spokesperson for the Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. 
Additionally, he created the Lynn Swann Youth Scholarship Fund in 
association with the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School. As you may know, 
Mr. Speaker, Lynn was one of the first wide receivers to practice 
ballet in preparation for football, a practice followed by numerous 
professional football players to this day. Lynn pioneered this unique 
``cross training'' method after recognizing that the gracefulness of 
ballet would be a considerable asset to a wide receiver in the National 
Football League. In 1981, he created the Lynn Swann Youth Scholarship 
Fund in Association with the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre school, which 
has benefitted hundreds of talented students. Lynn's commitment to the 
Ballet School continues to this day, by contributing a portion of the 
sales of his number 88 Pittsburgh Steelers jersey, to aid the 
Pittsburgh Ballet, as well as the Boys and Girls Club of Pittsburgh.
  Throughout his distinguished career both on and off the field, Lynn 
Swann has never forgotten nor neglected his close personal ties to San 
Mateo. He is, indeed, an icon and role model for our young people. Lynn 
Swann is an extraordinary athlete who is truly deserving of induction 
into the National Football League Hall of Fame. He has given selflessly 
of his time to worthy causes. Lynn's character can best be summed up by 
his former High School history teacher and coach, John Carboni, who, 
when asked about his former student, chose not to comment on his 
athletic ability, but rather on his personality. As Mr. Carboni stated, 
``When it comes to a classy athlete to come out of Serra, Lynn Swann 
rules the roost.''
  Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to join me in paying tribute 
to Lynn Swann, an excellent athlete on his enshrinement in the National 
Football Hall of Fame.

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