[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 16]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 22982]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  KARCH KIRALY: THE GREATEST PLAYER IN THE HISTORY OF AMERICAN MEN'S 
                               VOLLEYBALL

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JANE HARMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, August 3, 2007

  Ms. HARMAN. Madam Speaker, this year, the sport of beach volleyball 
will say goodbye to its most celebrated player--Karch Kiraly. It is 
with great pleasure that I acknowledge his accomplishments and 
congratulate him on his retirement from professional beach volleyball. 
He will cap his illustrious career with the Association of Volleyball 
Professionals later this month, with a final appearance at the AVP 
Manhattan Beach Open--a tournament he has won an impressive eight 
times.
  With 148 domestic and international victories under his belt, Karch 
Kiraly is the winningest player in the history of the game. Remarkably, 
he has not only won more often than anyone else, but he has won 
tournaments in each of the last four decades--a feat many consider to 
be unrepeatable. Clearly, this three-time Olympic gold medalist and 
six-time AVP MVP richly deserved induction to the Volleyball Hall of 
Fame in 2001, six years before his retirement.
  The AVP Manhattan Beach Open is one of the most exciting annual 
events to occur in the 36th congressional district. Each August, 
thousands of people flock to the beach, just steps from the Manhattan 
Beach pier, to see the best players in the world compete. A victory in 
Manhattan Beach is one of the sport's most prestigious honors, and for 
the last 29 years Karch Kiraly has been there vying for the 
championship trophy.
  From his days as a UCLA Bruin, where he led his team to three NCAA 
championships, to his professional career as the symbol of beach 
volleyball, Karch Kiraly has performed with uncommon graciousness and 
poise. In addition to the AVP Sportsmanship Awards he received in 1995, 
1997, and 1998, Kiraly is regarded by friends and fans alike as 
focused, personable, and refreshingly humble.
  While Karch Kiraly is retiring as an active player, he has no 
intention of leaving beach volleyball. We will miss his trademark pink 
hat, but as a professional beach volleyball commentator and founder and 
director of the Karch Kiraly Academy, he will continue to play an 
active role in influencing the sport he took to new heights.
  I am delighted to commend Karch Kiraly for his successful and 
inspirational career. Fans everywhere will miss seeing him playing--and 
winning--down on the sand in Manhattan Beach, CA.

                          ____________________