[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 4955]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING FLOYD IRONS: A DEDICATED LEADER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. WM. LACY CLAY

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 23, 2004

  Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Floyd Irons for 
being inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame. Irons has served 
30 years as Vashon High School's basketball coach and is currently the 
Principal. In addition to being an extraordinary motivator to the 
players, he has been a mentor to the students and a role-model for the 
St. Louis community.
  Irons graduated from Vashon in 1966. After graduating from Langston 
University, Irons returned to his alma mater in 1971 to teach Social 
Studies and coach varsity basketball. He was later named Assistant 
Principal and took pride in helping many students obtain scholarship 
information and funding sources for college.
  During his 30 years at Vashon High School, Irons has coached his 
varsity teams to 20 Final Four tournaments and 10 State titles. This 
year, Irons coached his team through the first undefeated season in 
Vashon High School's history. In 2003, The National Sporting Magazine 
named Irons its Coach of the Year and with an overall impressive 791 
wins, Irons has the third best record of all of Missouri's high school 
coaches.
  Over the years, Irons has watched the school's facilities catch up 
with the capabilities of its students. Undaunted by any of the 
limitations that he faces as Principal of an urban school, Irons 
continues to exhibit innovation, incredible energy and unyielding 
commitment to keeping Vashon as a staple in the community. He has 
dedicated himself to the students at Vashon and its mission.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with great privilege that I recognize Floyd Irons 
today before Congress. He is well-deserved of our respect, and I urge 
my colleagues to join me in honoring Floyd Irons.

                          ____________________