[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 7]
[House]
[Pages 10304-10307]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING THE LIFE OF JOHN WOODEN

  Ms. SHEA-PORTER. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree 
to the resolution (H. Res. 1427) honoring the life of John Robert 
Wooden.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 1427

       Whereas John Robert Wooden was born on October 14, 1910, in 
     Hall, Indiana;
       Whereas John Wooden began his basketball career at 
     Martinsville High School and helped his team win the Indiana 
     State high school basketball title in 1927;
       Whereas John Wooden later became a three-time all-American 
     star guard at Purdue University, helped lead Purdue to the 
     National Championship in 1932, was named the 1932 national 
     collegiate player of the year, and received the Big Ten medal 
     for excellence in scholarship;
       Whereas John Wooden served honorably as a lieutenant in the 
     United States Navy during World War II;
       Whereas John Wooden began his collegiate coaching career in 
     1946 at Indiana State Teachers College (now Indiana State 
     University), where he fought racial inequality by refusing an 
     invitation to the 1947 National Association of 
     Intercollegiate Basketball because an African-American player 
     on his team would not be allowed to participate;
       Whereas John Wooden became head coach at the University of 
     California Los Angeles (UCLA) in 1948 and quickly established 
     a record of success with his student-athletes both on and off 
     the court that is legendary and unmatched;
       Whereas John Wooden led the UCLA Bruins to 10 National 
     Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) championships 
     (including 7 in a row), 19 conference championships, 12 final 
     four appearances, four perfect seasons, and a record 88-game 
     winning streak from 1971 to 1974;
       Whereas John Wooden was the first person elected to the 
     Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as both a player 
     and as a coach;
       Whereas John Wooden was foremost an educator who always 
     stressed the importance of team play while inspiring the 
     development of individual talent and academic excellence;
       Whereas John Wooden was the personification of teamwork and 
     good sportsmanship, and his name is synonymous with 
     integrity;
       Whereas an annual award in John Wooden's name is given to 
     the Nation's top college men's and women's basketball player;
       Whereas John Wooden won the lifelong respect of his 
     colleagues, players, and fans for the values he lived and 
     espoused;
       Whereas John Wooden's renowned Wooden Pyramid of Success, 
     which stresses industriousness, friendship, loyalty, 
     cooperation, enthusiasm, self-control, alertness, initiative, 
     intentness, condition, skill, team spirit, poise, and 
     confidence as the building blocks for competitive greatness, 
     is one of the most widely recognized blueprints for 
     excellence in any pursuit;
       Whereas, on July 23, 2003, John Wooden received the 
     Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Nation's highest civilian 
     honor recognizing exceptional meritorious service;
       Whereas, on December 20, 2003, the basketball floor at 
     UCLA's Pauley Pavilion was dedicated as ``Nell and John 
     Wooden Court''; and
       Whereas John Wooden, whose death was preceded by his 
     beloved wife Nell, is survived by his 2 children, Nancy and 
     James, 7 grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) honors John Wooden for his exceptional career as a 
     coach, player, educator, and mentor, including his unrivaled 
     achievements during his tenure at UCLA;
       (2) pays tribute to his iconic legacy of leadership, and 
     recognizes the respect and admiration he earned through his 
     dedication to the betterment of others; and
       (3) expresses condolences on his passing to his children, 
     Nancy and James, his grandchildren, his great-grandchildren, 
     and the countless players, fans, and admirers who mourn his 
     passing.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
New Hampshire (Ms. Shea-Porter) and the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. 
Roe) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from New Hampshire.


                             General Leave

  Ms. SHEA-PORTER. Madam Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during 
which Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on 
House Resolution 1427 into the Record.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from New Hampshire?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. SHEA-PORTER. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1427, 
honoring the life of John Robert Wooden.
  John Wooden loved basketball. As a young man in Martinsville, 
Indiana, starting on his high school basketball team in 1927, Wooden 
led his team to an Indiana State high school basketball title, marking 
the beginning of a basketball career brimming with great success. In 
college, at Purdue University, his athletic victories continued, 
winning All-American honors 3 years in a row, as well as a spot in the 
Basketball Hall of Fame. The great success on the basketball court 
Wooden achieved while in school set the foundation for the great 
athletic accomplishments he would later go on to achieve.
  After being offered a spot in the NBA, Wooden turned it down, 
deciding rather to teach high school English and to coach high school 
basketball. His only break from the school setting was during World War 
II, when he served honorably as a lieutenant in the United States Navy.
  In 1948, Wooden accepted an offer to coach the University of 
California team in Los Angeles, the UCLA Bruins basketball team, and he 
quickly established a record of success with his student athletes both 
on and off the court. In his first year with the team, he led the 
Bruins through a near perfect season, winning 22 out of 29 games. 
Wooden guided the team to 10 National Collegiate Athletic Association 
championships, seven of which were in a row. In addition, he led the 
Bruins to 19 conference championships, 12 Final Four appearances, four 
perfect seasons, and a record 88-game winning streak from 1971 to 1974.
  Off the court, John Wooden was admired and respected as much as he 
was on the court. Foremost an educator, Wooden stressed the importance 
of team play while inspiring the development of individual talent and 
academic

[[Page 10305]]

excellence. The distinguished Wooden Pyramid of Success has been widely 
recognized as an example for the building blocks to competitiveness and 
excellence in any quest, not just sports. It emphasizes the skills that 
Wooden taught, such as friendship, loyalty, cooperation, enthusiasm, 
self-control, team spirit, poise, and self-confidence. In 2003, he was 
presented the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest honor given to 
a civilian.
  John Wooden lost the love of his life, Nell Wooden, but he is 
survived by his two children, by his seven grandchildren, and by his 13 
great-grandchildren, as well as by the millions of basketball fans who 
believe there will never be another coach like John Wooden in any 
sport, and they mourn his passing.
  Madam Speaker, I would like to thank Representative Waxman for 
bringing this bill forward.
  I wish to honor the legendary Coach Wooden for his immense 
contributions, not only to the game of basketball, but also for his 
exceptional career as an educator, as a mentor, and for his dedication 
to the betterment of others. John Wooden's lasting legacy is carried on 
today on basketball courts all around the country as he was loved and 
admired by all who play and who know the game. I wish to express my 
deep condolences to his family, to his friends, to his former players, 
and to his countless fans and admirers.
  I urge my colleagues to support House Resolution 1427, and I reserve 
the balance of my time.
  Mr. ROE of Tennessee. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, it is a great honor to be here today, as I am a huge 
college basketball fan, to rise in support of House Resolution 1427, 
honoring Coach John Robert Wooden.
  Today, we honor Coach Wooden's accomplishments and leadership. Coach 
Wooden was born in Hall, Indiana, and he attended Purdue University, 
where he played on the university's basketball team and where he was 
the first player to be named a three-time All-American. Coach Wooden 
also played professionally for the team that later became the 
Indianapolis Jets. In 1961, he was enshrined in the Basketball Hall of 
Fame for his accomplishments as a player.
  Coach Wooden began his teaching career at Dayton High School in 
Kentucky. After his service in World War II, Coach Wooden began 
coaching at Indiana Teachers College, now Indiana State University. In 
1984, Wooden was inducted into the Indiana State University Athletic 
Hall of Fame. In 1948, Coach Wooden began his coaching career at UCLA. 
In 1 year, Coach Wooden turned the 12-13 losing team to a 22-7 winning 
team. John Wooden retired from UCLA and from coaching in 1975, but he 
left a legacy in his wake.
  Coach Wooden's list of accomplishments is long and impressive. He led 
the UCLA men's basketball team to 10 NCAA Men's Basketball 
Championships, seven in consecutive years. He made the most appearances 
in the Final Four, the most consecutive appearances and the most 
victories in the Final Four. He set the record for the most consecutive 
wins at 88 games--amazing--and won 38 straight victories in the NCAA 
tournament play. He also led UCLA to eight perfect Pac-8--now Pac-10--
conference season championships.
  Coach John Wooden's accomplishments on the court are innumerable. 
Today, we honor him for his accomplishments, and it is a great 
privilege to be here to honor this great man. Coach Wooden was much 
more than a coach, for his accomplishments were much greater as a 
person. Coach Wooden will be much missed by his friends, by his family, 
by the universities in which he served, also by the numerous players, 
assistant coaches, ball boys, trainers, and others. Coach Wooden's life 
was about others and not about himself, and I think, when the good Lord 
sees Coach Wooden, he is going to ask him how in the world he pulled 
off those 88 straight wins.
  I know one of the things I would like to do with my life is to leave 
it a little bit better than I found it, and I certainly know that Coach 
John Wooden left it much better than he found it. I, too, as a fan, 
will miss Coach--a job well done.
  I reserve the balance of my time.

                              {time}  1300

  Ms. SHEA-PORTER. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to yield 5 minutes to 
the gentleman from California (Mr. Waxman).
  Mr. WAXMAN. Madam Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I rise to 
honor the remarkable life and tremendous contributions of John Wooden, 
who passed away in Los Angeles last Friday.
  I want to begin by expressing my condolences on his passing to his 
family and the countless people whose lives he touched.
  John Wooden coached at UCLA when I was there earning my undergraduate 
and law school degrees. I was in my last year of law school when the 
Bruins had their first perfect season under Coach Wooden, a season that 
culminated in a championship win over Duke. Everybody on campus was 
thrilled. No one could have possibly imagined that this was only the 
beginning of a historic run that will probably never be matched.
  John Wooden would go on to coach the Bruins to an unprecedented 10 
NCAA championships, including an incredible seven in a row, and a 
record four perfect seasons, which includes an 88-game win strike, from 
1971 to 1974.
  The full list of records broken and accolades earned is far too long 
to cover here. His accomplishments have made his name synonymous with 
``success,'' and it is unlikely that anyone will ever be able to match 
the accomplishments that he has achieved.
  Incredibly, his coaching success was never the most remarkable thing 
about him. What was the most remarkable was how he inspired people and 
motivated them to excel, on the court and off.
  As soon as a game started, it was clear that he wasn't your typical 
coach. Absent were the outbursts of cursing so typical from other 
coaches. Instead, Coach Wooden led with the calmness and poise of 
someone who knew he had prepared his players for anything they could 
face.
  Basketball was just a means for Coach Wooden to influence his players 
by instilling life lessons and the value of character. He relished the 
practice and the preparation far more than the games that brought him 
glory because they provided him the opportunity to teach. Hundreds of 
UCLA players attribute so much of the success in their lives to the 
years they spent with John Wooden. And he was most proud about that.
  While Coach Wooden could never be replaced, he will be remembered and 
celebrated for all time because of his love of the game, his love for 
his players, and his love for his family.
  John Wooden often said, ``You can't live a perfect day until you do 
something for someone who will never be able to repay you.'' Madam 
Speaker, Coach Wooden lived a lot of perfect days.
  Mr. ROE of Tennessee. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the 
honorable gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Buyer).
  Mr. BUYER. Likewise, I rise to honor and pay respects to the life and 
career of the distinguished Hoosier, Coach John Wooden.
  He was born October 14, 1910, in the small town of Hall, Indiana. 
Coach Wooden was raised on a family farm that had neither running water 
nor electricity, and money was often in short supply. He played 
basketball with his brothers in a barn using a tomato basket and a 
makeshift ball consisting of old rags. Later in life, he would credit 
his success to the hard work and discipline he learned growing up on 
the small family farm.
  At the age of 14, his family moved to the town of Martinsville, 
Indiana, where he led the local high school basketball team for 3 
consecutive years, winning the State championship in 1927. For his 
efforts, he was selected three-time All-State.
  After graduating high school in 1928, John Wooden attended Purdue 
University, where he helped the Boilermakers as team captain to the 
1932 national

[[Page 10306]]

championship. He was named All-Big Ten, All-Midwestern conference while 
at Purdue. He also was the first player ever to be named three-time 
consensus All-American guard.
  His nickname was the ``Indiana Rubber Man'' for his hard play on the 
basketball court.
  When John Wooden graduated from Purdue in 1932, he began not only 
then as a professional basketball player, but then he sought teaching 
and coaching by accepting a job as an athletic director, a basketball 
coach, and English teacher at Dayton High School in Dayton, Kentucky. 
The first year at Dayton was Coach Wooden's only losing season as a 
high school coach.
  In 1934, Wooden and his wife, Nellie, then moved to South Bend, 
Indiana, where he accepted another coaching and teaching position at 
South Bend Central High School. Overall, in 11 years of coaching high 
school, his record was an incredible 218 wins and only 42 losses.
  In 1942, the United States entered World War II, and, like many 
others of his generation, Coach Wooden answered the call to serve his 
country, serving as a lieutenant in the Navy as a physical education 
instructor.
  After completing his military service, John Wooden quickly found work 
at what is now known as Indiana State University. He coached basketball 
at the school and resumed his string of winning seasons.
  In 1948, Coach Wooden then moved to UCLA that offered him the head 
coaching position. And the rest is history, as described by Mr. Waxman.
  Coach Wooden will be remembered as an exceptional basketball player, 
an inspiring coach, and a mentor to many, many people. According to 
Bill Walton, UCLA's three-time All-American center during the 1970s, 
``He taught us how to focus on one primary objective: Be the best in 
whatever endeavor you undertake. Don't worry about the score. Don't 
worry about the image. Don't worry about the opponent. It sounds easy, 
but it's actually very difficult.''
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentleman has expired.
  Mr. ROE of Tennessee. I yield the gentleman an additional minute.
  Mr. BUYER. ``It sounds easy, but it's actually very difficult. Coach 
Wooden showed us how to accomplish it,'' end quote.
  Today, the highest award in college basketball is named the Wooden 
Award, which honors the Nation's best player in both men's and women's 
college basketball.
  John Wooden coached, taught, and lived with honor. He was a very 
special human being. And this is a Hoosier of which many of us are 
distinguishedly proud about. I know, California, you also love to claim 
him. I think all of America can claim him. He is a distinguished 
gentleman.
  Ms. SHEA-PORTER. Madam Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of 
my time.
  Mr. ROE of Tennessee. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Dreier).
  Mr. DREIER. Madam Speaker, I thank my friend for yielding. And I have 
to say that, with the exception of the two floor managers here, we have 
a Hoosier, Mr. Buyer, and of course two UCLA graduates, Mr. Waxman, 
who's already spoken, and Mr. Lewis, who is going to follow.
  As we take this time to very appropriately remember an amazing life, 
someone who--as was pointed out when Mr. Buyer mentioned his birth 
date, October would have marked his 100th birthday. So Coach Wooden 
lived virtually an entire century.
  And I was struck with the quote that Mr. Waxman reminded us of, that 
you've never lived a perfect day until you've done something for 
someone that cannot repay you. And Coach Wooden is an individual who 
had a humility but a great inner strength.
  And one of the things that was very apparent as you watched him coach 
and as you saw him involve himself with students and with so many 
others in the community, there was that gentleness and strength of 
character that did belie that resolve that he had. But, at the same 
time, he's someone who was able to be a real winner.
  And I think it was pointed out very appropriately right after his 
passing when Bill Walton and Kareem Abdul Jabbar stood on the floor of 
the court for the team that in the not-too-distant future is going to 
become the NBA champion, the Los Angeles Lakers, and remembered the 
life of Coach Wooden.
  And so I want to join with my colleagues in extending our thoughts 
and prayers to the family members and to all of the students who were 
able to benefit from the amazing life of Coach John Wooden.
  Ms. SHEA-PORTER. I continue to reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. ROE of Tennessee. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the 
honorable gentleman from California (Mr. Lewis).
  Mr. LEWIS of California. Madam Speaker, I too rise today to express 
my deep appreciation for the life and work of John Wooden, the great 
coach from UCLA.
  The resolution, by the way, that we are discussing today was 
originally introduced by my colleague Henry Waxman, who spoke a while 
ago. Henry's district includes UCLA within its territory. And Henry and 
I have worked together for many, many years and have had in common the 
fact that we are both, kind of, red-hot graduates of UCLA.
  We don't agree upon everything. In fact, some would suggest we almost 
never agree. The reality is, though, that Henry and I have worked 
together for many, many years, and I'm very proud of the fact that he's 
a close friend.
  Beyond that, let me say that the House might be interested to know 
that Henry and I are such fans of UCLA that he actually allowed me to 
name my dog Bruin. And Bruin walks to work with me every day, and, in 
fact, he's over in my office watching this on the floor and will be 
most intrigued by the fact that people finally are recognizing John and 
Nell Wooden for the wonderful, wonderful contribution they've made to 
our country.
  Ms. SHEA-PORTER. I continue to reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. ROE of Tennessee. Madam Speaker, I will close by saying that this 
country has been much better for the presence of John Wooden here and 
the role model that he's applied for so many young people. And I would 
suggest that you go out and read his book, or books.
  And one of the quotes, and I'm paraphrasing this, that struck me that 
he has said--I think his players would say Woodenisms--but it is: 
``It's much more important what kind of individual you are than what 
kind of athlete you were.'' And I think we all need to keep that in 
mind as we go forward in our day.
  And I appreciate the opportunity to be able to honor Coach Wooden 
today, one of my heroes.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. SHEA-PORTER. Madam Speaker, I would also like to point out I have 
a basketball player in my home, and I certainly had the biography 
because the man that we're talking about, the great hero, John Robert 
Wooden, did indeed show Americans how to play a sport and how to play 
it honorably and how to play on and off the court.
  I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this resolution.
  Mr. LEWIS of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
extraordinary life of John Wooden who became an angel at age 99 on June 
4, 2010. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends 
during this difficult time.
  I appreciate the efforts of my colleague, fellow UCLA graduate, and 
friend Henry Waxman who authored this resolution honoring Coach Wooden. 
While Henry and I haven't always agreed on policy issues, I have long 
valued his friendship and our shared love of all things UCLA. For those 
who do not know just how strongly I feel about my alma mater . . . my 
dog happens to be named Bruin.
  It is a humbling moment to rise on behalf of thousands of UCLA alumni 
who are proud not just to graduate from a great university but to be 
associated with John Wooden, the preeminent basketball coach for all 
time.
  From 1964 to 1975, his Bruin teams won 10 national championships, 
including seven in a row. No other men's basketball coach has won more 
than four. He led UCLA to four perfect seasons. No other coach has had 
more

[[Page 10307]]

than one undefeated season. Wooden's teams won with legendary players 
known the world over and were victorious with players whose names are 
remembered only by the UCLA faithful.
  But Coach Wooden was so much more than statistics, championships, and 
career honors. He was a reminder of values both endearing and enduring 
during a time of great social and political upheaval. Bruins and 
basketball lovers could disagree over the headlines in the newspapers 
but could unite around the humble leadership of Coach Wooden.
  It is his role as an educator where he has made his greatest mark. 
Wooden developed the ``Pyramid of Success'' a simple, yet profound, 
representation of the ideals that form the basis of Wooden's outlook on 
life and explain much of his success on and off the court. Emphasizing 
such traits as skill, poise, and confidence, the Pyramid of Success has 
helped millions be their best when their best was needed.
  Wooden's maxims benefit us all. Be quick, but don't hurry. It's not 
how tall you are, but how tall you play. Character is what you really 
are; reputation is what you are perceived to be.
  Wooden's supreme devotion was to his family. He married his beloved 
Nell, the only woman he ever dated, and wrote her love letters every 
month on the anniversary of her passing. When UCLA's basketball court 
at Pauley Pavilion was recently renamed in their honor Wooden insisted 
her name came first. He and his wife symbolized the very best of family 
life.
  Coach Wooden often said ``make each day your masterpiece.'' While he 
had many days that were masterpieces, the 99 years John Wooden graced 
us with his presence were his magnum opus.
  Ms. RICHARDSON. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 
1427 which honors the life of John Wooden, the legendary basketball 
coach of the UCLA Bruins, who died this past Sunday, June 6, at the age 
of 99.
  Coach Wooden's success as a college basketball head coach is 
unparalleled. But his on-court success was matched by the positive 
impact that he had on the lives of his players. Coach Wooden was the 
very embodiment of what a coach should be. He was a teacher, a mentor, 
and a friend. As an alumnus of UCLA and a former college basketball 
player, I am inspired and awed by Coach Wooden's legacy and proud of 
his contributions to the game of basketball.
  Born in 1910 in Hall, Indiana, John Wooden began his basketball 
career at Martinsville High School, where he helped lead his team to a 
state championship. He went on to star at Purdue University, where he 
was a three-time All-American and the 1932 national collegiate player 
of the year. He is the first and only person inducted into the Naismith 
Basketball Hall of Fame as both a player and a coach.
  But John Wooden's remarkable success as a player is often overlooked 
because of the historic achievements of his coaching career. John 
Wooden began his coaching career at UCLA in 1948 and immediately 
established a record of success that has made him an American icon and 
the gold standard of college basketball coaches. Coach Wooden led the 
UCLA Bruins to 10 national championships, a record no other coach in 
college basketball history has come close to matching. Between 1967 and 
1973, Coach Wooden's Bruins won an incredible 7 consecutive national 
championships. No other coach has more than three. In addition, he led 
the Bruins to 19 conference championships, 12 Final Four appearances, 4 
perfect seasons, and a remarkable 88 game winning streak, which remains 
the longest in history. The record 38 game NCAA tournament winning 
streak that his Bruins compiled in winning the first 9 national 
championships is surely as close to unbeatable a record as any in all 
of sports. The next longest winning streak is a mere 14 games, compiled 
by the Duke Blue Devils from 1992-94.
  As a former college basketball player, I understand the long hours of 
hard work and intense dedication needed to achieve a single winning 
season. So, the monumental record of success compiled by Coach Wooden 
is staggering. But, as Coach Wooden would be the first to explain, his 
monumental achievements were the product of an intense focus on the 
details. Coach Wooden was famous for starting the first day of practice 
each season with a tutorial on how to properly put on athletic socks in 
order to avoid blisters. It was this outlook on the game--this 
understanding that attention to detail is a fundamental first step to 
achieving great things--that made Coach Wooden such a master.
  John Wooden's success on the court was topped only by the positive 
effect that he had on the lives of his players. All of Coach Wooden's 
players will attest that, while he surely made them better basketball 
players, his most lasting impact on their lives was his ability to make 
them better people. Coach Wooden was an educator and a mentor in the 
truest sense. More than personal talent, he stressed the importance of 
loyalty, companionship, cooperation, and enthusiasm. He imparted upon 
his players lessons that led to life-long success.
  The words of wisdom he imparted to the players he coached helped them 
become champions on and off the court. Who can forget these famous 
quotes of Coach Wooden:
  ``Don't confuse activity with achievement.''
  ``Be quick but don't hurry.''
  ``Failing to prepare is preparing to fail.''
  ``It's what you learn after you know it all that counts.''
  ``The main ingredient of stardom is the rest of the team.''
  ``Things turn out best for the people who make the best of the way 
things turn out.''
  ``Failure is not fatal, but failure to change might be.''
  ``Talent is God given. Be humble. Fame is man-given. Be grateful. 
Conceit is self-given. Be careful.''
  For his contributions to the game of basketball and to the lives of 
so many young Americans, Coach Wooden was deservedly awarded the 
Presidential Medal of Freedom. Coach Wooden is an American icon who 
will be missed dearly, but whose legacy will continue to shine in the 
sports world and throughout American life.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution.
  Mr. BERMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Coach John 
Wooden. As a student of the University of California, Los Angeles 
during Coach Wooden's tenure, I recall with nostalgia the spirit of 
honor and humility that he embodied. For a man with a larger-than-life 
reputation and unparalleled winning record, John Wooden was 
surprisingly modest--a trait that many would say is particularly 
uncommon in Los Angeles. His playing career at the high school, 
college, and professional levels was marked by numerous record-breaking 
and award-winning performances, and his coaching career was no 
different. He led the UCLA Bruins to an unmatched 10 National 
Championships in NCAA Men's Basketball and four perfect seasons, one of 
which was while I was a law student at UCLA. It was an incredible time 
to be a Bruin. Coach Wooden was the first person to be inducted to the 
basketball Hall of Fame as both a player and a coach, and remains one 
of only a handful of people to earn the dual honors.
  I can't talk about John without mentioning Nell, his wife of over 50 
years. Like Coach Wooden, Nellie Wooden was until her death in 1985 an 
integral part of the fabric of UCLA and a fixture in the crowd at the 
court that now bears her and her husband's names. She always wore a 
smile, and a game rarely started without it.
  John Wooden's spirit will continue to roam the hills of Westwood by 
the blue Pacific shore. My colleagues and I can all take a page out of 
Coach Wooden's playbook when it comes to teamwork and diligence. May 
his memory be a blessing and his life an example to us all.
  Ms. SHEA-PORTER. I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from New Hampshire (Ms. Shea-Porter) that the House suspend 
the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1427.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________