[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 5822-5823]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



    HONORING INDUCTEES INTO MOBILE SPORTS HALL OF FAME APRIL 4, 2001

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SONNY CALLAHAN

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, April 4, 2001

  Mr. CALLAHAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to four 
outstanding gentlemen who will be inducted into the Mobile Sports Hall 
of Fame on April 12, 2001. I would like to recognize their 
extraordinary and tireless service to the people of the state of 
Alabama. These gentlemen's perseverance and commitment have left a 
lasting imprint on Alabama sports history. Their efforts have 
cultivated a fine group of young men and women prepared to combat any 
of life's challenges.
  The first inductee is Charles T. Rhodes, who began his illustrious 42 
years of service in 1946 as a teacher and assistant football and track 
coach at Mobile Training School in Plateau, Alabama. Under Mr. Rhodes' 
direct supervision the team quickly flourished and went on to win two 
state championships. Rhodes later became the head football coach and 
athletic director and guided the school to an astonishing record of 
117-44-6. Receiving accolades is becoming quite natural to Rhodes who 
has received honors as ``Coach of the Year'' three times by the South 
Alabama Athletic Association and twice by the Mobile County Athletic 
Association.
  In addition to his endeavors in coaching, Rhodes has taught Biology, 
Economics, American Democracy, American and World History at Mobile 
County Training School. Furthermore, Mr. Rhodes was a club sponsor, 
role model and surrogate for many of his students. He was a teacher who 
excelled above and beyond the call of duty to ensure that all the 
children received the attention they needed to succeed in school. He 
brought his expertise to Murphy High School where he served as an 
assistant principal. While there, Mr. Rhodes

[[Page 5823]]

provided firm leadership and warm encouragement to both the students 
and faculty. In the fall of 1973, Rhodes was appointed principal of 
Toulminville High School.
  Another fine individual who will be inducted into the Mobile Sports 
Hall of Fame is Johnny Brown. Mr. Brown is a graduate of the University 
of South Alabama and is known as the undisputed king of the Mobile 
Metro Championship, which is an annual golf tournament played at Azalea 
City Golf Club.
  Moreover, in addition to winning this tournament, Mr. Brown has won 
more than 150 amateur tournaments, including 14 major titles in Mobile 
alone. His consistent extraordinary showing at this prestigious golf 
tournament and others around Mobile is a true testament to Mr. Brown's 
incredible golfing ability.
  Johnny Brown has amazed the city of Mobile with his phenomenal swing 
and his winning character. However Mr. Brown's contributions far 
surpass the entertainment he has given all of us through his awe 
inspiring performances. He has given back to our community and our 
children through spending much of his time giving assistance and 
expertise to junior golf in Mobile. Mr. Brown has through his endeavors 
in sports and commitment to our children, shown us what a true athlete 
really is.
  Judge Lionel W. ``Red'' Noonan is another great man to be inducted 
into the Mobile Sports hall of fame. Noonan was both an athlete and a 
probate judge, he has served our country to the fullest of his ability 
and deserves our sincere praise. He retired from his position as Mobile 
County's probate judge earlier this year and after 18 years of devout 
service, he will hang his judge's robe alongside his Alabama football 
jersey.
  Judge Noonan is a native of Mobile as well as a graduate of Murphy 
High School. He was a four-year letterman on The University of Alabama 
football team where he was a headstrong fullback. In addition to his 
accomplishments on the field, Noonan also excelled off the field. His 
accomplishments and contributions to the university are still felt 
today.
  Red Noonan carried this strong work ethic with him as he left college 
and moved on to the professional world. He deeply entrenched himself in 
a number of organizations and groups that share a firm commitment to 
the betterment of Mobile's communities. Among these are the board of 
directors of Downtown Mobile Unlimited, Mobile Junior Chamber of 
Commerce and the Visiting Nurses Association. Judge Noonan is also a 
member of the Mobile Chapter of the Foreign Policy Association and the 
Mobile County Recreational Committee.
  He has been an instructor at the University of South Alabama and also 
at Spring Hill College. Mr. Noonan is a WWII veteran and for this 
reason alone deserves our gracious thanks. Noonan has made enormous 
contributions to the citizens of Mobile and will be solely missed. The 
magnitude of the achievements Mr. Noonan has accomplished speaks for 
itself. Judge Noonan is a man of character and a true gentleman.
  Last, but certainly not least, is a great man named Ray C. ``Buddy'' 
Lauten whose name has become synonymous with America's Young Woman of 
the Year (AYWY formerly America's Junior Miss). He has now retired as 
head of the program after 35 years of hard work and dedication. In his 
tenure, he helped develop the program into one of the outstanding 
events of its kind in the country.
  Mr. Lauten is a native of Mobile where he grew up and participated in 
a number of city sports. He was an outstanding football athlete at 
University Military School (UMS), where he lettered for five years and 
was honored as an all-city halfback. In basketball in 1945 and 1946, he 
was the city's top scorer. While at Spring Hill College, he set an iron 
man record that still stands today, 109 consecutive games there.
  Mr. Lauten has given so much to Mobile and its citizens and like his 
counterparts deserves heartfelt accolades.
  These inductees into the Mobile Sports Hall of Fame Mr. Rhodes, Mr. 
Brown, Mr. Lauten and Mr. Noonan are true champions.

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