[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 14423]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING MR. GARY WILLIAMS, THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND'S MOST 
                            WINNINGEST COACH

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. C.A. DUTCH RUPPERSBERGER

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 13, 2006

  Mr. RUPPERSBERGER. Mr. Speaker, it isn't often a gifted and talented 
athlete has an opportunity to exercise his skills as a coach. It is 
even less common for that athlete to coach at his alma mater. It is 
rarer still for that athlete to be recognized as one of the best 
coaches on the collegiate level. For this reason, it gives me great 
pleasure to rise before you today to celebrate the career of a good 
friend, a strong athlete, and an exceptional basketball coach, Mr. Gary 
Williams of the University of Maryland's Terrapins.
  I have had the privilege of knowing Gary for a number of years. We 
were undergraduates at the University of Maryland at the same time. 
While I devoted my time to the university's lacrosse team, Gary could 
be found tearing up the university's basketball court.
  Throughout his career, I have watched Gary excel as a leader in 
collegiate athletics. The university's basketball team won only nine 
games the year before Gary took over as head coach. Under his 
leadership, they turned around their losing streak by winning 19 games 
in his first season. After his 17th season as the Terrapins's coach, 
Gary Williams surpassed legendary Charles ``Lefty'' Driesell as the 
University of Maryland's ``winningest coach''--reaching 353 career 
victories.
  Gary led his team from a troubled period to national distinction. 
Under his direction, the Terrapins have made it to the Sweet Sixteen 
seven times, had two consecutive Final Four appearances, and relished a 
national championship in 2002. His is a story of pure determination, 
impeccable drive, and unprecedented excellence.
  The former point guard for the Terps received the highest honor as an 
alumnus by being inducted into the university's Alumni Hall of Fame. He 
was ranked ninth among active NCAA Division I coaches. He was named the 
Washingtonian Magazine's ``Washingtonian of the Year'' and he was 
inducted into the Greater Washington Sports Hall of Champions, as well 
as the Washington, DC Metropolitan Basketball Hall of Fame.
  Gary Williams has cemented his legacy by not only devoting his time 
and energy to the Terrapins, but by giving back to the community at 
large. Throughout the year, Gary remains active in charity work, 
fundraising, and public speaking engagements. He is involved with 
Coaches vs. Cancer, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, National Autism 
Research, the National Physical Education Council, the Salvation Army, 
and the Babe Ruth Museum.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you please join with me today in recognition 
of the achievements of an outstanding athlete and coach. Mr. Gary 
Williams has made significant strides in collegiate athletics. His 
leadership has allowed his team to dominate basketball courts for 17 
seasons. His legacy will be remembered for years to come.

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