[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 15]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 21390]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   CONGRATULATIONS TO MR. HANK STRAM

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 4, 2003

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. It is with great joy and enthusiasm that I wish to 
congratulate Mr. Hank Stram on his induction into the Pro Football Hall 
of Fame. Hank Stram's path to football greatness began many years ago 
when he was an athletic standout at Lew Wallace High School in Gary, 
Indiana earning all-state honors as halfback. On Sunday, August 3, 
2003, Hank Stram received the ultimate honor with his induction into 
the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.
  After graduating from Lew Wallace High School, Stram attended Purdue 
University on a football scholarship. He earned four letters in 
baseball and three in football for the Boilermakers. His collegiate 
career was interrupted for three years of military service in World War 
II. During his senior year at Purdue, Stram received the coveted Big 
Ten Medal that is awarded to the conference athlete who best combines 
athletics with academics.
  Immediately upon graduation in 1948, Stram joined Purdue's football 
coaching staff. He served 12 years as an assistant on the collegiate 
level, with stops at Southern Methodist, Notre Dame and Miami 
(Florida).
  In 1960 he was named head coach of the Dallas Texans in the new 
American Football League. The rest is history. Stram guided the Texans 
to the AFL championship in 1962 and the team then moved to Kansas City 
and became the Chiefs. In Kansas City, Stram led the Chiefs to the 1966 
and 1969 AFL Championships.
  His 1966 Kansas City team played in the first Super Bowl, losing to 
the Green Bay Packers. The highlight of Stram's illustrious coaching 
career came on January 11, 1970, when the Chiefs defeated the Minnesota 
Vikings, 23-7, in Super Bowl IV. He also led the Chiefs to playoff 
appearances in 1968 and 1971.
  Strarn coached 17 years in professional football and had a career 
won-lost-tied record of 136-100-10. His victory total is 11th on the 
all-time NFL coaches list. He finished his career with 2 seasons, 1976 
and 1977, as head coach of the New Orleans Saints.
  Hank Stram was known by his players and colleagues as being a truly 
innovative coach with ideas that inspired and motivated his players and 
all those who had the opportunity to work with him throughout his 
career. At the age of 80, Stram continues to provide motivation for 
area athletes. Every year, the Silver Bell Club, Lodge 2365 of the 
Polish National Alliance of the United Slates, hosts its Hank Stram--
Tony Zale Sports Award Banquet to honor young athletes in Northwest 
Indiana.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my other distinguished colleagues 
join me in commending and applauding Hank Stram, a true sports hero who 
has achieved greatness. His lifetime of devotion to his players, fans, 
and family will truly be celebrated and remembered.

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