CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE August 2, 2001 1993 and Certainly As It Was in 1970

15768 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE August 2, 2001 1993 and certainly as it was in 1970. As my friend Minnesota Vikings all- his truck and signed over his Pro Bowl Protecting our environment is a pri- pro wide receiver Cris Carter said yes- to the youth football team. That was ority for all Americans. To give this terday, ‘‘There was not a more well- Korey Stringer. function the attention it deserves real- liked player on our football team, but Mr. Speaker, Minnesota Vikings ly necessitates elevating the EPA to it’s far greater than about football.’’ owner Red McCombs summed it up well the Department of Environmental Pro- Korey was in his seventh season as a when he said, ‘‘We have lost a truly re- tection. H.R. 2694 does precisely this. Viking after he was drafted in the first markable man who was an outstanding In no small part, this commitment and round in 1995 as a 20-year-old from Ohio husband, father and football player.’’ elevation of the EPA signals to our State. Even though Korey was a native My good friend of many years, former world partners and to our own citizens of Warren, Ohio, he chose to make the Viking Joe Senser, who is now the that environmental protection and res- Twin Cities area his permanent home. radio voice of the Minnesota Vikings, toration is at the top of our policy pri- He was a huge man physically, 6 feet 4, said, ‘‘You will not find a better family orities. 335 pounds, and his heart was even big- man who loved his family more.’’ Besides elevating the EPA to a full ger. Korey’s loving wife Kelci, 3 year-old department, we should look upon this Known as a gentle giant, Korey son Kodie and his extended family are as an opportunity to fix long overdue Stringer gave so much to our Twin Cit- in the thoughts and prayers of all of us. procedural challenges. In particular, ies community. He established Korey’s Korey, you might be gone, but you will we have an opportunity to ensure that Crew community service programs at never be forgotten by the people of in addressing environmental regula- local schools and at the St. Paul public Minnesota. tions, the Department utilizes the best library, and he was always available to f science that is currently available and help kids when help was needed. He AMERICA SHOULD NOT TURN ITS that sound public health priorities will loved to visit kids in local hospitals BACK ON WORLD CONFERENCE actually be addressed by the proposal. and schools, and he was one of the AGAINST RACISM It is worth noting that in passing their most involved Vikings in our commu- version of the legislation, the Senate nity. The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. included this very proposal and passed b OSBORNE). Under a previous order of it by a vote of 95–3. It is refreshing to 2330 the House, the gentleman from Illinois see that sometimes policy consider- Brad Madson, Director of Community (Mr. DAVIS) is recognized for 5 minutes. ations can prevail over partisanship. Relations for the Vikings said yester- Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I We face serious challenges to prevent day, ‘‘Korey was one of a handful of would also like to be associated with global warming, to reduce toxic emis- players who wanted to get involved in the remarks of the gentleman from sions, to assure quality air and to pre- the community. When he wasn’t per- Minnesota relative to the loss of Korey vent other harmful discharges to en- forming community service as part of Stringer, who not only was a great sure that we have clean sources of his own Korey’s Crew program, he was football player, but indeed was a role drinking water. These are large chal- there supporting his teammates’ com- model, not only for Minnesota, but for lenges with which we cannot afford to munity efforts.’’ the entire Nation. So we share with play politics. Evaluating the Environ- A fifth-grade teacher at Bancroft Ele- you the comments you have just made. mental Protection Agency allows us mentary in South Minneapolis, where Mr. Speaker, as we speak, an inten- the opportunity to take politics out of Korey Stringer visited the kids weekly sive 2 week effort is under way in Gene- the equation, but we need to do it cor- to talk about the importance of read- va to finalize plans for the World Con- rectly. I look forward to working with ing and staying in school, paid tribute ference Against Racism, Racial Dis- my colleagues and the administration to Korey yesterday by saying, ‘‘Korey crimination, Xenophobia and Related to move forward on this important bill. Stringer was not commanding or brash. Intolerance. The World Conference, to f He was genuine and honest, and kids be held in Durban, South Africa, on MINNESOTANS MOURN THE DEATH were drawn to him like a magnet. August 31, is expected to be the most OF KOREY STRINGER ‘‘When Stringer visited schools, he important international meeting on signed autographs, shook hands and The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a racism ever held. posed for photographs. But then he sat previous order of the House, the gen- Given America’s tragic history of ra- down and listened to the students’ sto- cial oppression, racism and inequality tleman from Minnesota (Mr. RAMSTAD) ries. He made them smile and laugh. is recognized for 5 minutes. and the bloody struggles required to Mr. RAMSTAD. Mr. Speaker, the And he came with his oft-repeated mes- end slavery, lynching, Jim Crow dis- people of Minnesota and Minnesota Vi- sage: Read, stay in school, be respon- crimination in employment, education, kings football fans around the world sible, be respectful.’’ health care and public accommoda- are mourning today because we have Another teacher said yesterday, ‘‘A tions, one would assume that America had a tragic death in the family. lot of times celebrities come and they would have some important lessons to Minnesotans are devastated over the spend 5 to 10 minutes, give a speech share with the international commu- loss of Korey Stringer, the gifted all- and then leave. Not Korey Stringer. He nity. pro Minnesota Vikings football player, arrived early, greeted each youth, took Given the heavy price the world has loving husband and father, popular photos with them, asked them about been forced to pay as a result of the hero to Minnesota kids and respected their favorite books and talked to slave trade, one would assume that role model in our great State. them about them. He stayed until the America would be sensitive and respon- As Vikings head coach Dennis Green last kid left. Not only did the Vikings sive to an attempt to clarify that his- put it, ‘‘We have lost a brother, a team- lose a good football player, but the tory and examine means of redressing mate and a friend. Everybody loved, re- community lost a good man.’’ the wrongs of slavery and racism. spected and admired Korey Stringer. USA Today had a wonderful story in Given the ongoing conflicts and the He was our gift from heaven.’’ today’s edition about Korey’s love and heritage of conflict as a result of the Mr. Speaker, Minnesota lost more concern for others. Just last week, exploitation of the Third World and than just the anchor of the Vikings of- Korey visited with Steven Arnold, who other developed nations, largely driven fensive line when Korey Stringer died had been an assistant coach when by the American slave system, driven at 1:50 this morning because of heat- Stringer played at Harding High by the lingering aftereffects of the stroke. We lost much more than a Pro School in Warren, Ohio. Coach Arnold slave trade, one would assume that Bowl football player. We lost one of the told Stringer they were having equip- America would be sensitive and respon- finest people in the National Football ment problems with a local youth foot- sive to an attempt to clarify that his- League and our Twin Cities commu- ball team, not enough money to buy tory and examine means of redressing nity. equipment. Stringer went right out to the wrongs of slavery and racism. VerDate Aug 04 2004 08:10 Apr 11, 2005 Jkt 039102 PO 00000 Frm 00152 Fmt 0688 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR01\H02AU1.005 H02AU1.

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