[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 8]
[Senate]
[Pages 12040-12041]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO ALTON ``RED'' FRANKLIN

  Ms. LANDRIEU. Mr. President, today I wish to ask my colleagues to 
join me in recognizing September 6, 2013, as Coach Alton ``Red'' 
Franklin Day in the State of Louisiana. On this date, Coach Franklin's 
35 years of leadership and service to the football program at 
Haynesville High School as head coach will be honored in a ceremony to 
rename Haynesville High School Memorial Stadium to Red Franklin-
Memorial Stadium.
  Coach Franklin's talent and leadership in athletics grew in high 
school where he lettered each year of his career in football, baseball, 
and basketball. After receiving a scholarship to play football at the 
University of Alabama, Coach Franklin transferred to Louisiana College 
where he met his beloved wife, Beth Langford. Mr. and Mrs. Franklin, 
who have been together 50 years, are the proud parents of three sons 
who played football under Coach Franklin's leadership and grandparents 
of seven grandchildren, all of whom continue to inspire him as a coach, 
father, and grandfather.
  Coach Franklin began his coaching career in Marksville, LA, in 1961. 
He later became an assistant coach at Haynesville High School. He was 
then promoted to head coach in 1967, and served in that position for 35 
years. During his career as head coach, Coach Franklin accumulated 366 
wins, 8 ties, and only 76 losses in a total of 450 games, earning the 
rank of second place for Louisiana's best all time, all-class, head 
coaching record. Throughout his tireless professional efforts, Coach 
Franklin also devoted much of his time to the youth in his community 
and the State as an educator, leader, and role model.
  Coach Franklin's distinguished career includes many awards, honors, 
and decorations. Among them are State Coach of the Year for 6 years, 
District Coach of the Year for 23 years, Region Five Coach of the Year 
for 2 years, and inductions into the Louisiana Sports, Louisiana 
College, National Federation of State High School Associations, and 
North Louisiana Chapter of the National Football Foundation Halls of 
Fame. Coach Franklin's career leaves a legacy of accomplishment, 
service, and dedication to all those who are a part of Louisiana's 
strong communities and football tradition.

[[Page 12041]]

  Coach Franklin has been and continues to be an inspiration to those 
who have been impacted by his legendary coaching tenure. It is with my 
greatest sincerity that I ask my colleagues to join me along with Coach 
Franklin's family in recognizing the hard work, devotion, and many 
achievements of this incredible leader.

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