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January 27, 2009 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E151 DANTE ‘‘GLUEFINGERS’’ LAVELLI Lavelli’s Hall of Fame induction in 1975. He Fort Polk, La., and carried out his duties with also never did a celebration dance in the end pride in his country and without reservation. zone, because he had been there before—a Staff Sergeant Robinson spent the last thir- HON. STEVEN C. LaTOURETTE total of 62 times in his 11-year Browns ca- OF OHIO reer. teen years in the U.S. Army where he served IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Lavelli caught all but 20 of his 386 recep- with distinction and dedication, epitomizing a true patriot. Tuesday, January 27, 2009 tions from Hall of Famer Otto Graham. He also played games in 1956, his final season, My deepest thoughts and prayers are with Mr. LATOURETTE. Madam Speaker, when with a notebook and pencil tucked inside his his daughters, Carneshia and Destiny, son, you were a Cleveland Browns fan, there is no pads so he could sign up opponents after the Da’karia, mother, Jennifer, grandmother, Mar- halfway. To be a Browns fan requires a life- game to join the new Players Association tha, and the rest of his family, friends and long devotion, an unflinching loyalty, a rev- that he helped assemble. loved ones during this difficult time. erence for all those who came before. As a ‘‘When my father walked, the floor shook,’’ said his son, Edward Lavelli. Today, I ask all members of Congress to Browns fan, you come to accept that your loy- Or so it seemed. join me as we honor the life of Staff Sergeant alty will be tested often, and in ways you can- He led Hudson High to three undefeated Carlo Robinson and his legacy, and all those not fathom—the Drive, the Fumble, the seasons in the late 1930s. men and women in our Armed Forces who stealth, dark-of-night move to Baltimore. Yet, He played only three games at Ohio State gave the ultimate sacrifice in service to their the loyalty never wavers—mostly because the before joining the Army, where he was in the country. rewards and the memories forged on Sunday 28th Infantry. The flag on his casket was a reminder that afternoons between fathers, sons, friends and Lavelli was part of the group of men who f neighbors are so powerful—even when they landed at Omaha Beach. He was in Bastogne INTRODUCTION OF THE CITIZENS are few and far between. during the Battle of the Bulge in the winter INVOLVEMENT IN CAMPAIGNS One of pillars of the Browns recently of 1944–45, where the Allies lost an estimated passed: Dante ‘‘Glue Fingers’’ Lavelli. He 81,000 men. (CIVIC) ACT played with Otto Graham, Marion Motley and In an interview with Scout.com, Lavelli Lou ‘‘The Toe’’ Groza and was coached by said at one point in the fighting, ‘‘I spent HON. THOMAS E. PETRI three days in a foxhole.’’ He also said he the legendary Paul Brown. He led the team to OF WISCONSIN prayed the ‘‘Our Father’’ constantly for seven championships in the 1940s and 1950s. three days. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES He was a gridiron star in his hometown of After his football career, Lavelli had own- Tuesday, January 27, 2009 Hudson, OH, which is part of my district. He ership interest in a furniture store, in two led his high school team to three straight bowling alleys and other business ventures. Mr. PETRI. Madam Speaker, today, Rep- undefeated seasons. He had been the oldest living member of the resentative PAUL KANJORSKI and I are intro- Dante Lavelli was a World War II Army vet- Pro Football Hall of Fame. He pushed for ducing bipartisan legislation to establish a pro- eran who missed most of college to defend recognition of the 1948 Browns for their gram of limited tax credits and tax deductions our Nation, trading the Horseshoe at Ohio undefeated season, which had been dismissed to get average Americans more involved in the by the NFL because it happened in the old political process. This bill, the Citizens Involve- State for the beaches of Normandy. The All-American Football Conference. famed receiver—nicknamed ‘‘Gluefingers’’ be- As Father John Betters said in his homily, ment in Campaigns (CIVIC) Act, will broaden cause he never dropped the ball—was en- ‘‘Dante Lavelli truly was one of America’s the base of political contributors and limit the shrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Greatest Generation.’’ influence of big money donors in federal elec- Canton more than 30 years ago, where his Lavelli was married for nearly 60 years to tions. 386 catches for 6,488 yards and 62 touch- Joy, and spent much of his later life in We need to take a fresh look at innovative downs are part of football lore. He loved one Westlake. His family members mentioned approaches to campaign finance reform, with how he loved to win at anything, from gin special attention paid to ideas that encourage, woman for more than 60 years, his beloved rummy to golf to negotiating to buy a car. wife, Joy. He is survived by his wife, two Oldest daughter Lucinda said her father and not restrict, greater participation in our daughters, a son, and four grandchildren, in- often offered this advice: ‘‘Save your money campaigns. Toward this end, I have been ad- cluding Aaron Bill, who worked for me in and get some rest.’’ vocating tax credits and deductions for small Washington and now attends law school. Or as grandson Aaron Bill said, looking up political contributions for many years. An up- I want to submit into the RECORD a column and speaking to his deceased grandfather, ‘‘I dated tax credit system would be a simple and written by renowned Cleveland Plain Dealer love you very much, and I’ll miss talking to effective means of balancing the influence of sportswriter Terry Pluto, who so eloquently you every day. And don’t worry, my shoes big money donors and bringing individual con- aren’t untied. I wore loafers.’’ captured the magic of a man who meant so tributors back to our campaigns. The impact of much to his family, his community, the Browns f this counterweight will reduce the burden of and the NFL. The article was published on IN RECOGNITION OF ARMY STAFF raising money, as well as the appearance of January 25, 2009, the day after Lavelli’s fu- SERGEANT CARLO M. ROBINSON impropriety that accompanies the money neral in Hudson, OH. chase. He was a man who put salt on almost ev- HON. MIKE ROSS Most would agree that the ideal way to fi- erything, especially a salad. He drank a huge nance political campaigns is through a broad OF ARKANSAS can of ice tea each night and would drive his base of donors. But, as we are all painfully IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES grandchildren around, forcing them to listen aware, the economic realities of modern-day to polka music in the car. Tuesday, January 27, 2009 campaigning lead many candidates to focus Dante Lavelli was so much more than a Hall of Fame receiver for the Cleveland Mr. ROSS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to most of their efforts on collecting funds from a Browns, as family and friends made clear recognize a true American hero. On January few large donors. This reality alienates many during his funeral at St. Mary’s Church in 17, 2009, our Nation and our state lost a Americans from the political process. Hudson on Saturday. brave soldier when Army Staff Sergeant Carlo The concept of empowering small donors is Aaron Bill walked up to the pulpit with a Montel Robinson died in Bagram, Afghanistan, not a new idea. For example, from 1972 to comb as he prepared to talk about his grand- in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He 1986, the federal government offered a tax father, who died Tuesday at the age of 85. died of wounds sustained in Kabul, Afghani- credit for small political contributions. This pro- ‘‘He was always trying to comb my hair,’’ said Bill. ‘‘He’d tell me that my sideburns stan, when a vehicle-borne improvised explo- vided an incentive for average Americans to were too long, that I needed a haircut. He sive device detonated near his vehicle. contribute to campaigns in small amounts wanted me to pull up my pants even when Staff Sergeant Robinson grew up in Hope, while simultaneously encouraging politicians to they were as high as they could go.’’ Arkansas—a tight-knit community where I had solicit donations from a larger pool of contribu- Yes, he’s Dante Lavelli, ‘‘Gluefingers.’’ He the privilege of growing up as well. Although tors. Currently, six geographically and politi- was Dante Lavelli, Mr. ‘‘Clutch.’’ He was I never had the honor to meet Staff Sergeant cally diverse states (Oregon, Minnesota, Ohio, Dante Lavelli, the receiver’s receiver, a play- Robinson, on behalf of the community of Virginia, Arkansas, and Arizona) offer their er whose football personality was opposite to own tax credits for political contributions. so many of the self-absorbed types who play Hope, I extend my utmost condolences to his the position today. family, friends and all who knew him for this These state-level credits vary in many re- He’s the man ‘‘who never dropped a pass devasting loss. spects, but all share the same goal of encour- that he touched, not in practices or games.’’ Staff Sergeant Robinson was assigned to aging average Americans to become more in- So said great Browns coach Paul Brown at the 1st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade at volved.

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