[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 19]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 27365]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  IN MEMORY OF HENRY ``HANK'' SPRINGER

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ELTON GALLEGLY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 16, 2007

  Mr. GALLEGLY. Madam Speaker, I rise in memory of Henry ``Hank'' 
Springer, who passed away Sunday at age 84.
  When Hank Springer became my football and track and field coach 45 
years ago at Huntington Park High School in Southern California, little 
did I know that I also was gaining a mentor and a lifelong friend. Of 
all the teachers I have ever had, no one had a greater impact on me 
than Coach Springer.
  Standing at about 6 foot 5 inches and weighing about 255 pounds, 
Coach Springer was nonetheless a gentle man who always put his 
students' education before their athletics. In spite of that--or 
perhaps because of it--he brought out the best in his athletes, 
bringing us to championship after championship.
  We stayed close over the years, and he would recall decades later 
things I had done as his student. Even his wife, Doris, recalled just 
months ago how I would call in the school's sports scores to the Signal 
newspaper for a dollar a week. Teachers, mentors, and friends like that 
are very special.
  Coach Springer was himself a champion athlete, having won the 
National Championship as a shotputter at Compton Junior College, a feat 
he repeated at the University of Southern California, where he earned 
his teaching credential and obtained a master's degree. Once at 
Huntington Park High School, he brought both football and track and 
field league championships to the school.
  In 1959, Coach Springer led his football team to the pinnacle of 
success by winning the Los Angeles City Schools Championship. Many of 
his students went on to collegiate and professional success.
  Included in Coach Springer's accolades, championships, achievements, 
and awards was a life achievement award from the California Scholastic 
Federation.
  Coach Springer retired in 1983 and became an avid fisherman. He was 
already an avid family man and friend.
  Madam Speaker, I know my colleagues will join me in honoring Hank 
Springer for his positive impact on student athletes and in mentoring 
them to be as competitive in their studies as they were on the field. 
In addition, I know my colleagues join me in extending our condolences 
to Doris, their sons, Mark and Brian, and to all who called Coach 
Springer a friend.
  Godspeed, Coach.

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