[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 5]
[House]
[Pages 6352-6353]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




OFFERING CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY OF JUNIOR SEAU, NFL GREAT AND SON OF 
                             AMERICAN SAMOA

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
American Samoa (Mr. Faleomavaega) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with deep sympathy in 
order to offer my condolences to the family and friends of a beloved 
son, father, brother, uncle, leader, an NFL great, and a son of 
American Samoa, Junior Seau, whose life ended tragically on the morning 
of May 2, 2012, in Oceanside, California.
  It is a very sad time for, not only the national sports world, but 
also for our Polynesian community. We have lost a Samoan brother who 
was an icon in football and a pioneer for many of our Polynesian sons 
who are in the National Football League. A beautiful life has come to a 
tragic end, yet we remember Junior as a young man full of life, a 
charismatic leader able to light up any room, a devoted son and father 
and community leader. We remember the strength of this unique 
individual, a true Samoan warrior.
  Junior was born Tiaina Baul Seau, Jr., on January 19, 1969, in San 
Diego, California, to American Samoan parents Mr. Tiaina Seau, Sr., of 
the village of Aunu'u, and Mrs. Luisa Mauga Seau of the village of Aoa. 
After Junior was born, the family returned to American Samoa where 
Junior grew up for several years before returning to the San Diego 
area.
  Junior attended Oceanside High School where he lettered in football, 
basketball, as well as in track and field for the Oceanside Pirates. In 
football, he was a starter at linebacker and tight end, and received 
numerous awards for his achievements as a student athlete. In 1987, the 
year he graduated, Parade Magazine selected Seau to its high school 
all-American team. He was also named California Interscholastic 
Federation San Diego Section Defensive Player of the Year, All-North 
County, Avocado League Offensive Player of the Year, as well as being 
named to California's all-academic team, with a 3.6 grade point 
average. After graduating high school, Seau played for the University 
of Southern California Trojans from 1987 to 1990, and in 2009, would be 
inducted into the USC Hall of Fame.
  In the 1990 NFL draft, Junior was drafted into the First Round and 
5th Overall Pick by the San Diego Chargers. Seau immediately became the 
heart and soul of the Chargers' defense, earning the nickname 
``Tasmanian Devil'' for his passion and explosive athletic skill on the 
field. In the locker room and on the field, Seau had an innate ability 
to motivate his teammates. He was named the NFL's Defensive Player of 
the Year in 1998 and 1999,

[[Page 6353]]

and was voted the Chargers' Most Inspirational Player in 1997 and 2002. 
Junior played in 12 consecutive Pro Bowls from 1991 to 2002, the most 
of any player in the history of the Chargers, and he tied for the third 
longest streak ever in the NFL. He was also selected All-Pro six times 
in his career, and led the Chargers to their first ever Super Bowl 
appearance in 1995.
  After 13 years in San Diego, Junior played 3 years for the Miami 
Dolphins where he received the Miami Dolphins' Don Shula Leadership 
Award for 2 consecutive years. After only 1 day of retirement in 2006, 
he answered the call by the New England Patriots, and became defensive 
co-captain during the Patriots' 18-0 season, which took the team to the 
Super Bowl in 2008. Junior finally retired in 2010, having played 20 
seasons in the NFL and finishing with a career of 1,849 tackles, 56.5 
sacks, 18 interceptions, three forced fumbles, and 21 pass deflections.
  Junior Seau is widely acknowledged as one of the best linebackers in 
NFL history, but his passion and success in football was paralleled in 
his community involvement and in his work off the field.
  In 1992, Junior established the Junior Seau Foundation, giving San 
Diego area youth ongoing support for programs that inspired them to 
face life's challenges with enthusiasm, hope and dignity. Since its 
inception, the foundation has distributed nearly $4 million to 
organizations providing services to children and young adults, 
including over $800,000 in scholarships through the Scholars of 
Excellence program and over $330,000 in Junior's ``Shop with a Jock'' 
program, which provides for underprivileged youth to shop alongside a 
professional college athlete for Christmas gifts for their families. In 
April 2007, The Wall Street Journal ranked the Junior Seau Foundation, 
as the 13th largest Professional Athlete Foundation based on assets.
  As much as he was an outstanding football player, Junior will also be 
remembered as a humanitarian, as a supporter for those who needed help 
the most, as a dear friend, and as a motivational figure. He was a 
charismatic leader who could not walk into a room without having an 
effect on those around him. He was loved by everyone who knew him, and 
his magnetism both on and off the field impacted fans nationwide and 
any individual he encountered.
  When one speaks of Samoans in the NFL, Mr. Speaker, Junior Seau is 
one of the first names that comes to mind. Junior was an ambassador for 
Asian and Pacific Americans, and through his success, he was able to 
broaden the public's understanding and appreciation of our Polynesian 
people.
  Reaching the NFL is a dream of many young men, but Junior Seau gave 
young Samoan men an image of success in the league--something that they 
could aspire to.
  In closing today, I would like to offer words of comfort to the Seau 
family, especially Mr. Tiaina Seau Sr. and Mrs. Luisa Seau, Junior's 
parents, as well as Junior's children, his siblings, and his extended 
family, or as we say in Samoan his aiga.
  In the Book of Romans, Chapter 12, Verse 15 we are called to 
``rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.'' In 
all of Junior's amazing accomplishments throughout his life, we have 
rejoiced with the Seau family, sharing your joy. And now in this time 
of great sorrow, we stand with you, though with heavy hearts, sharing 
in your grief.
  Ia manuia lau faigamalaga. (Have a blessed journey home), Junior.

                          ____________________