H1144 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 28, 2006 He integrated the Giants at a time Duke’’ as a youngster by Giants players, In his almost 80 years associated with the when much of the league remained all joined the Giants in 1937 as a part-time as- Giants, Wellington Mara attended almost white. He drafted running back Frank sistant to the president, started working full- every Giants practice and home game until Gifford and offensive tackle Roosevelt time in 1938 as a club secretary and later falling ill last spring. In fact, the only extended Brown and then traded for quarterback served as vice president before becoming the time he ever spent away from the team was Y.A. Tittle, all future Hall of Famers. team’s president after the death of his brother, in brave service to his country. While serving He was the architect of the dominant Jack. in the Navy during World War II, Wellington Giant teams of 1958–1963. No one sur- Mara’s extensive experience in organization, Mara proudly achieved the rank of Lieutenant passed him, paralleled perhaps by Dan player personnel, trading and drafting helped Commander while serving in both the Atlantic Rooney of the Pittsburgh Steelers. produce 16 NFL/NFC divisional titles (two and Pacific theaters. During World War II, Mara briefly came after his induction into the Hall of Fame) It was Wellington Mara’s vision and leader- left his beloved Giants and joined the and four NFL championships during his 68– ship in the 1960’s that may provide the most Navy. He served in the Atlantic and season tenure that began with his graduation lasting impact on the NFL. His willingness to the Pacific theaters. He earned the from Fordham in 1937. He engineered trades share television revenue from the largest tele- rank of lieutenant commander. He re- throughout the League solidifying deals with vision market with smaller market teams en- turned to the Giants following the war. such stars as Frank Gifford and Roosevelt abled a balanced economic playing field which b 1515 Brown—both future Hall of Famers—to mold continues in the NFL today. the Giants into a dominant team in the late In addition to his leadership in the NFL, In the early 1960s the Giants were the 1950s and early 1960s. Wellington Mara was a generous, caring man most valuable franchise in the league, From 1956 to 1963, the Giants won six divi- whose compassion can be summed up in one and television was the next great rev- sional championships and the 1956 NFL title. phrase: once a Giant, always a Giant. He was enue stream. You have already heard, Mara’s Giants went on to win Super Bowls well known for providing medical care for cur- Mr. Chairman, how we shared the rev- XXI and XXV. rent and former players and their families, in- enue to make sure that the league sur- From 1984 to 2005, he served as president cluding finding doctors and covering their vived. of the National Football Conference. He was medical expenses. Additionally he often kept In the late 1970s, Mara further inducted into the National Football League advisors and scouts on payroll long after their strengthened the team by hiring Hall of Fame in 1997 and into the Fordham service to the team ended, simply as a means George Young as the general manager, Athletic Hall of Fame. of showing appreciation for their service. who became the architect of the domi- In spite of a busy, grueling schedule Wel- Simply put, Wellington Mara was football in nant Giant teams of the late 1980s. lington Mara always found time to serve his America. A member of the NFL’s founding All told, in Mara’s 81 years, 81 years community as a member of the board of the generation, Mara served on the NFL’s Execu- with one football team, they appeared Giants Foundation, a charitable organization tive Committee, Hall of Fame Committee, and in 26 post seasons, won 16 division founded by the New York Giants to provide fi- Competition Committee and was elected to championships and six NFL titles. nancial and social support for disadvantaged the Hall of Fame himself in 1997. Those six championships represent the youths in the New York Metropolitan Area. Mr. Speaker, I wish to offer my condolences third most, as my friend from Pennsyl- Wellington Mara, who was born on August to the entire Mara family, and I urge my col- vania pointed out. 14, 1916, in New York City, was respected as leagues to support this resolution. In 1972, Fordham University inducted one of the most knowledgeable executives in Mr. DENT. Mr. Speaker, I have no Mara into the Athletic Hall of Fame, pro football. He passed away on October 25, further speakers at the moment, and I and in 2002, he was honored at the 2005. He leaves to cherish his memory his reserve the balance of my time. Fordham Founders Dinner, the univer- wife, Ann, his 11 children and his 40 grand- Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I sity’s highest honor. children. He also leaves a legion of devoted yield back the balance of my time. In 1997, Mara was introduced into the admirers, friends and colleagues. Mr. DENT. Mr. Speaker, I urge all National Football League Hall of The NFL game ball was known as ‘‘The Members to support the adoption of Fame, an honor he reluctantly accept- Duke’’ from 1941 to 1969. The NFL first used House Resolution 517. ed. He believed that since players and a ball in honor of Mara at the suggestion of I yield back the balance of my time. coaches made the game great, the Hall Chicago Bears owner George Halas, who The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. of Fame should be reserved for them along with Tim Mara, Wellington’s father, ar- BRADLEY of New Hampshire). The ques- and not for owners. ranged for Wilson to become the league’s tion is on the motion offered by the Mara was so highly regarded by his supplier of game balls. ‘‘The Duke’’ ball was gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. fellow owners that just yesterday the discontinued before the start of the 1970 sea- DENT) that the House suspend the rules National Football League renamed son. The NFL owners recently voted unani- and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 517. their official game ball ‘‘The Duke,’’ mously to bring back ‘‘The Duke’’ game ball The question was taken; and (two- the nickname given to Mara as a child with the logo written on all game-day footballs. thirds having voted in favor thereof) by the New York Giants players. I believe it is more than befitting that the the rules were suspended and the reso- I am proud to have authored House National Football League pay tribute to the lution was agreed to. Resolution 517 honoring the life and memory of this outstanding gentleman by A motion to reconsider was laid on work of Wellington Timothy Mara. I bringing back ‘‘The Duke’’ football named in the table. respectfully urge my colleagues join his honor and that this House pay him tribute f me and support the passage of this res- with the passage of this Resolution today. olution of not only a great football Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support PROVIDING THAT ATTORNEYS EM- player, great owner, but a darn great of this resolution to honor Wellington Timothy PLOYED BY THE DEPARTMENT human being. Mara. OF JUSTICE SHALL BE ELIGIBLE Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to Mr. Mara, a longtime constituent of mine FOR COMPENSATORY TIME OFF honor the memory and legacy of Wellington from Westchester County, was a pioneer in FOR TRAVEL Mara, former co-owner of the National Football the sports world who has left an indelible mark Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I move to League’s New York Giants franchise and on the National Football League. suspend the rules and pass the bill League businessman extraordinaire, and in Having been closely associated with the (H.R. 4057) to provide that attorneys support of Congressman PASCRELL’s resolu- New York Giants since its inception in 1925 employed by the Department of Justice tion recognizing the life of Wellington Mara and having assumed partial ownership of the shall be eligible for compensatory time and his outstanding contributions to the New team at the age of 14, Wellington Mara played off for travel under section 5550b of York Giants football club, the National Football a critical role in helping the Giants become title 5, United States Code, as amend- League and the United States of America. one of the cornerstone franchises of the NFL. ed. Wellington Timothy Mara was a man among Under his leadership, the Giants achieved The Clerk read as follows: men. Wellington Mara was a man whose en- greatness—26 postseason appearances, 18 H.R. 4057 tire lifetime was dedicated to the National divisional championships, and six league Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- Football League and his family-owned Giants. championships, including two Super Bowl vic- resentatives of the United States of America in Mara, who was given the nickname ‘‘The tories. Congress assembled, VerDate Aug 31 2005 02:53 Nov 18, 2006 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\RECORDCX\T37X$J0E\H28MR6.REC H28MR6 ccoleman on PROD1PC71 with CONG-REC-ONLINE March 28, 2006 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1145 SECTION 1. COMPENSATORY TIME OFF FOR Mr. Speaker, I thank you once again King Jordan for his contributions to TRAVEL.