November 2, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S13621 message from the Chicago Bears. Many ex- with him. You could tell he was very The last point I will make is, toward ecutives knew what it said before they read genuine.’’ the end of his life when announcing he it: Walter Payton, one of the best ever to Bears fans in Chicago felt the same way, faced this fatal illness, he made a plea which is why reaction to his death was swift play running back, had died. across America to take organ donation For the past several days it has been ru- and universal. mored that Payton had taken a turn for the ‘‘He to me is ranked with Joe DiMaggio in seriously. He needed a liver transplant worse, so the league was braced for the news. baseball—he was the epitome of class,’’ said at one point in his recuperation. It Still, the announcement that Payton had Hank Oettinger, a native of Chicago who was could have made a difference. It did not succumbed to bile-duct cancer at 45 rocked watching coverage of Payton’s death at a bar happen. and deeply saddened the world of profes- on the city’s North Side. ‘‘The man was such I do not know the medical details as sional football. a gentleman, and he would show it on the to his passing, but Walter Payton’s ‘‘His attitude for life, you wanted to be football field.’’ message in his final months is one we around him,’’ said Mike Singletary, a close Several fans broke down crying yesterday as they called into Chicago television sports should take to heart as we remember friend who played with Payton from 1981 to him, not just from those fuzzy clips of 1987 on the Bears. Singletary read Scripture talk show and told of their thoughts on at Payton’s side on the morning of his death. Payton. his NFL career but because he re- Asked what made Payton special, Ditka ‘‘He was the kind of individual if you were minded us, even as he was facing his said: ‘‘It would have to be being Walter down he would not let you stay down,’’ Sin- last great game in life, that each and Payton. He was so good for the team. He was gletary said. every one of us has the opportunity to the biggest practical joker and he kept ev- Commissioner Paul Tagliabue said the eryone loose. And he led by example on the pass the ball to someone who can carry N.F.L. family was devastated by the loss of field. He was the complete player. He did ev- it forward in organ donation, and the Payton. Tagliabue called him ‘‘one of the erything. He was the greatest runner, but he Nation’s commitment to that cause greatest players in the history of the sport.’’ was also probably the best looking back you would be a great tribute to him. ‘‘The tremendous grace and dignity he dis- ever saw.’’ played in his final months reminded us again I yield the floor. why ‘Sweetness’ was the perfect nickname The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- f for Watler Payton,’’ he said in a statement. ator from Illinois. THE DEATH OF WALTER PAYTON In his 13 seasons with Chicago, Payton Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I thank rushed for 16,726 yards on 3,838 carries, still my colleagues from the State of Mis- Mr. FITZGERALD. Mr. President, I both N.F.L. records. One of Payton’s most sissippi who are justifiably proud of rise today to express my sadness at the impressive feats was that he played in 189 of Walter Payton. His home State of Mis- news of the death of one of football’s 190 games from 1975, his first season, until sissippi can look to Walter Payton greatest stars ever, Chicago’s own Wal- his retirement in 1987. For someone with ter Payton. Payton’s style to participate and dominate with great pride. There is a great deal of sadness in my home State of Illinois, Walter Payton was a hero, a leader, in that many games—he enjoyed plowing and a role model both on and off the into defenders and rarely ran out of bounds particularly in the city of Chicago, to avoid a tackle—is remarkable. with the passing of Walter Payton at field. For 13 years, he thrilled Chicago ‘‘He is the best football player I’ve ever the age of 45. Bears’ fans as the NFL’s all-time lead- seen,’’ said Saints Coach Mike Ditka, who Later today, I will enter into the ing rusher—perhaps one of the greatest coached Payton for six seasons with Chicago. RECORD a statement of tribute to Mr. running backs ever to play the game of Ditka added: ‘‘At all positions, he’s the Payton, but I did not want to miss this football. After retiring from profes- best I’ve ever seen. There are better runners opportunity this morning to mention sional football in 1987, Payton contin- than Walter, but he’s the best football player several things about what Walter ued to touch the lives of Chicagoans as I ever saw. To me, that’s the ultimate an entrepreneur and a community lead- compliment.’’ Payton meant to Chicago and Illinois. What always amazed Payton’s opponents He was more than a Hall of Fame er. was his combination of grace and power. football player. He ran for a record Walter Payton’s historic career Payton once ran over half dozen players 16,726 yards in a 13-year career, one of began at Jackson State University, from the Kansas City Chiefs, and on more those years shortened by a strike, and where he set a college football record than one occasion he sprinted by speedy de- yet he established a record which prob- for points scored. The first choice in fensive backs. ably will be difficult to challenge or the 1975 NFL draft, Payton—or ‘‘Sweet- It did not take long for the N.F.L. to see surpass at any time in the near future. ness’’ as he was known to Chicago that Payton was special. In 1977, his third Bears fans—became the NFL’s all-time 1 The one thing that was most amazing season, Payton, standing 5 feet 10 ⁄2 inches leader in running and in combined net and weighing 204 pounds, was voted the about Walter Payton was not the fact league’s most valuable player after one of he was such a great rusher, with his yards and scored 110 touchdowns during the best rushing seasons in league history. hand on the football and making moves his career with the Bears. He made the He ran for 1,852 yards and 14 touchdowns. His which no one could understand how he Pro Bowl nine times and was named 5.5 yard a carry that season was a career best pulled off, but after being tackled and the league’s Most Valuable Player and against Minnesota that season he ran for down on the ground, hit as hard as twice, in 1977 and 1985. In 1977, Payton 275 yards, a single-game record that still could be, he would reach over and pull rushed for a career-high 1,852 yards and stands. up the tackler and help him back on carried the Bears to the playoffs for ‘‘I remember always watching him and his feet. the first time since 1963. He broke Jim thinking, ‘How did he just make that run?’ ’’ Brown’s long-standing record in 1984 to Giants General Manager Ernie Accorsi said. He was always a sportsman, always a ‘‘He was just a great player. gentleman, always someone you could become the league’s all-time leading Accorsi echoed the sentiments of others admire, not just for athletic prowess rusher, and finished his career with a that Payton may not have had the natural but for the fact he was a good human record 16,726 total rushing yards. In gift of running back Barry Sanders or the being. 1985–86, Walter Payton led the Bears to athleticism of Jim Brown, but that he made I had the good fortune this last an unforgettable 15–1 season and Super the most of what he had. Fourth of July to meet his wife and Bowl victory—the first and only Super ‘‘I think Jim Brown is in a class by him- son. They are equally fine people. His Bowl win in Bears’ history. Walter self,’’ Accorsi said. ‘‘And then there are son, late in his high school career, in Payton was inducted into the Pro other great players right behind him like Walter Payton.’’ his junior year, decided to try out for Football Hall of Fame in 1993, and was Payton was known as much for his kind- football. The apple does not fall far selected this year as the Greatest All- ness off the field as his prowess on it. He was from the tree; he became a standout at Time NFL Player by more than 200 involved with a number of charities during Saint Viator in the Chicago suburb of players from the NFL Draft Class of and after his N.F.L. career, and although he Arlington Heights and now is playing 1999. valued his privacy he was known for his at the University of Miami. I am sure More important, Walter Payton kindness to people in the league whom he did he will have a good career of his own. matched his accomplishments on the not know. With the passing of a man such as football field with his selfless actions Accorsi saw Payton at the 1976 Pro Bowl, Walter Payton, we have lost a great off the field on behalf of those in need. and even though it was one of the first times the two had met, Payton told Accorsi, ‘‘I model in football and in life—the way He earned a degree in special education hope God blesses you.’’ he conducted himself as one of the from Jackson State University and ‘‘When some guys say stuff like that, you most famous football players of all worked throughout his adult life to im- wonder if it is phony,’’ Accorsi said, ‘‘but not time. prove the lives of children. In 1988, he

VerDate 29-OCT-99 01:17 Nov 03, 1999 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A02NO6.002 pfrm01 PsN: S02PT1 S13622 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE November 2, 1999 established the Halas/Payton Founda- linemen, all of whom were inextricably exceeds the demand. The longer that tion to help educate Chicago’s youth. linked to the surfeit of records he patients wait on the organ donation Walter Payton was truly an Amer- amassed. He play the game with a rare list, the more likely it is that their ican hero in every sense of the term. humility—refusing to call attention to health will deteriorate. In Payton’s He died tragically at age 45, but his himself—always recognizing the indi- case, the risk of deadly complications, legacy will live in our hearts and minds viduals who paved the way for his which included bile duct cancer, grew forever. Today, Mr. President, Illinois achievements. too quickly. Payton likely would have mourns. Sweetness, we will miss you. He once refused to be interviewed by had to wait years for his life-saving Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I rise former Ms. America Phyllis George un- liver. This was time he did not have be- today to pay tribute to perhaps the less his entire corps of linemen were in- fore cancer took his life yesterday. A best running back who ever carried a cluded. Following his first 1,000 yard day when everyone who needs a life- football, Walter Payton, who died yes- rushing season, Payton bought his of- saving organ can be treated with one terday at the age of 45. In Carl Sand- fensive linemen engraved watches. The cannot come soon enough. burg’s City of the Big Shoulders, engraving, however, made no mention More than 66,000 men, women, and ‘‘Sweetness,’’ as Payton was nick- of the 1,390 yards he finished with that children are currently awaiting the named, managed to carry the football year, but instead noted the score of the chance to prolong their lives by finding hopes of an entire city on his shoulders game in which he reached 1,000 yards, a matching donor. Minorities, who for 13 magnificent years. underscoring the essential contribu- comprise approximately 25% of the From the law firms on LaSalle to the tions that his offensive linemen made population, represent over 40% of this meat packing plants on Fulton, Mon- in enabling him to achieve this feat. organ transplant waiting list. Because day mornings in Chicago were always And how many times did we see Wal- of these alarming statistics, thirteen filled with tales of Payton’s exploits on ter Payton dance down the field, a limp people die each day while waiting for a the field from the previous day. We leg, a quick cut, a break-away. He donated liver, heart, kidney, or other marveled at his ability and reveled in could find daylight in a crowded eleva- organ. Half of these deaths are people the glory he brought to Chicago and Da tor. And when a tackler finally brought of color. The untimely death of Payton Bears. In a life cut short by a rare dis- him down, Walter Payton would jump is a wake-up call for each of us to be- ease, he blessed Chicago with several to his feet and reach down to help his come organ donors and discuss our in- lifetimes of charisma, courage, and tal- tackler up. That’s the kind of football tentions with our families so that we ent. player he was. That’s the kind of per- do not lose another hero, or a son, a Who could forget the many times son he was. daughter, a mother or a father to a dis- Payton lined up in the red zone and Payton lightened the atmosphere at ease that can be overcome with an soared above opposing defenders for a Hallas Hall with an often outlandish organ transplant. Bears touchdown? Or the frequency sense of humor, even during the years Mr. President, today is a sad day in with which his 5–10, 204-pound frame when the Bears received boos from the Chicago and in our nation. We have bowled over 250-pound linebackers en fans and scathing criticism from the lost a father, a husband, a friend, and a route to another 100-yard-plus rushing press. Rookies in training camp were role model all at once. While we are game? His relentless pursuit of that often greeted by firecrackers in their overcome with grief, we are also re- extra yard and the passion with which locker room and unsuspecting team- minded of the blessings that Payton he sought it made his nickname, mates often faced a series of pranks bestowed upon his wife, Corrine, his Sweetness, all the more ironic. It when they turned their backs on children, Jarrett and Brittney, and the would take the rarest of diseases, bare- Payton. Just last week, as Payton was city of Chicago during his brief time ly pronounceable and unfortunately in- clinging to life, he sent Suhey on a trip with us. surmountable, to finally bring Sweet- to Hall of Famer Mike Singletary’s So thanks for the memories, Sweet- ness down. house, but not before he gave Suhey a ness. Soldier Field will never be the It was that passion that inspired series of incorrect addresses and di- same. Payton’s first position coach, Fred rected Suhey to hide a hamburger and f O’Connor, to declare: ‘‘God must have a malt in Singletary’s garage. taken a chisel and said, ‘I’m going to While Payton lived an unparalleled DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA APPRO- make me a halfback.’ ’’ Coach Ditka life on the football field, he also lived PRIATIONS ACT, 2000—CON- called Payton simply ‘‘the greatest a very full life off the field. He was a FERENCE REPORT—Resumed football player I’ve ever seen.’’ brilliant businessman, but never too The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under Payton’s eight National Football busy to devote countless hours to char- the previous order, the clerk will re- League (NFL) records, most of which itable deeds, most of which were unso- port the conference report. still stand today, merely underscore licited and voluntary. Sweetness The legislative clerk read as follows: his peerless performance on the field shared with us a sense of humanity Conference report to accompany H.R. 3064 and his extraordinary life away from that will endure as long as his records. making appropriations for the Government it. The man who wore number 34 distin- I had the good fortune on July 4th to of the District of Columbia and other activi- guished himself as the greatest per- meet his wife and children, who are ties chargeable in whole or in part against former in the 80-year history of a team equally fine people. The apple didn’t revenues of said District for the fiscal year that boasts more Hall of Famers than fall too far from the tree. Jarrett ending September 30, 2000, and for other pur- any other team in League history. Payton, like his father, decided to try poses. He played hurt many times through- out for football in his Junior Year. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- out his career, and on one notable oc- Jarrett was a standout at St. Viator ator from Alaska. casion, when he should have been hos- High School in Arlington Heights, a Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, what pitalized with a 102 degree fever, he Chicago suburb, and he is now playing is the time situation with regard to the played football. On that day, November football at the University of Miami. It conference report? 20, 1977, Payton turned in the greatest looks as if he may have quite a career The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- rushing performance in NFL history, of his own. ator from Alaska has 5 minutes. rushing for a league record 275 yards en In his last year, Walter Payton Mr. STEVENS. Is there a set time to route to victory against the Minnesota helped illuminate the plight of individ- vote, Mr. President? Vikings. uals who are afflicted with diseases The PRESIDING OFFICER. We are Self-assured but never cocky, Sweet- that require organ transplants. Pa- to vote in 30 minutes. There are six ness had no interest in indulging the tients with the rare liver disease that Senators who have 5 minutes apiece. media by uttering the self-aggrandizing Payton contracted, primary sclerosing Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, we will sound bites that are all too common cholangitis (PSC), have a 90% chance of hear from the managers of the bill, I among today’s athletes. Instead, he surviving more than one year if they am certain. There are two sets of man- would praise the blocking efforts of receive a liver transplant. Unfortu- agers, as a matter of fact. This is a bill fullback Matt Suhey or his offensive nately, the need for donations greatly that combines the District of Columbia

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