[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 16156]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




           RECOGNIZING THE LIFE AND WORK OF ROBERT I. THOMAS

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 7, 2016

  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, today I want to 
recognize the significant leadership of a selfless motivator and 
inspirational man, Robert Thomas. Robert Thomas touched countless lives 
in his storied career within the Dallas Independent School District as 
a teacher, coach and administrator. Though he is now passed, his 
attention to people will survive him.
  Mr. Thomas is a real Dallasite and a native of one of the finest 
neighborhoods in south Dallas--Oak Cliff, or more specifically, ``The 
Bottom.'' He attended Lincoln High School where he played football and 
ran track. After high school, Mr. Thomas went on to Wiley College for 
one year, before leaving to serve his country in the United States Army 
for two years. After his service, he returned to Wiley College, where 
he won two national championships in 1956 and 1957, and was named an 
All-American.
  After his storied athletic career, he was determined to dedicate his 
passion for sports to the generation younger than he. In 1958, he 
became a physical education instructor at George Carver Elementary 
School, yet he would truly start his coaching career at Lincoln High 
School as a football and track coach in 1962. Robert would go on to 
enjoy a storied career in coaching and athletic administration work 
that included a staggering win record, city championships, two district 
championships and one co-championship.
  In reward for his hard work, Robert was appointed to the position of 
Assistant Athletic Director for the Dallas Independent School District 
in 1982. He served in this position until 1993, when he was appointed 
Assistant Superintendent of Athletics in 1993. He held this position 
until he retired in 2000.
  Robert Thomas brought success in athletics to Dallas throughout his 
entire career. But more important than any of that, he touched the 
lives of so many young people, showing them that hard work can give 
them what they deserve, in a world with more resources than he ever 
enjoyed. He was never bitter, and always loving. He will be sorely 
missed.
  Robert was preceded in death by his wife, Eula Faye Thomas, parents, 
Hester and Lindon Thomas, sister Dorothy Thomas Mayes. He is survived 
by his three sons, Kenneth, Gregory and Ricky Thomas; brothers, L.T. 
Thomas, Wilson Thomas and Bernard Thomas; three grandchildren, eight 
great grandchildren, as well as by several nieces and nephews and a 
host of other relatives and the children and adults that loved him so 
in Dallas.

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