H400 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE February 28, 2006 supporters of that. We think this is a Whereas the 1966 Texas Western team of alongside their fellow white soldiers. way to do it. Bobby Joe Hill (Detroit, Michigan), Orsten Blacks were not, however, playing bas- I want to congratulate my good Artis (Gary, Indiana), Togo Railey (El Paso, ketball at many schools in the South, Texas), Willie Worsley (New York, New friend, Mr. ROGERS. And when we intro- where de facto segregation still York), David Palacio (El Paso, Texas), Dick duced this resolution, a stream of my Myers (Peabody, Kansas), Harry Flournoy reigned. colleagues came immediately to sup- (Gary, Indiana), Louis Baudoin (Albu- For Don Haskins, coach of the Texas port the resolution. querque, New Mexico), Nevil Shed (New Western Miners men’s basketball team, I thank Speaker HASTERT for joining York, New York), Jerry Armstrong a person’s race did not matter. To him us at the press conference where this (Eagleville, Missouri), Willie Cager (New ability on the basketball court was rolled out. And I thank the leader- York, New York), and David ‘‘Big Daddy’’ mattered more than the color of the ship on both sides of the aisle for expe- Lattin (Houston, Texas) finished the basket- player’s skin. To Coach Haskins, the diting this resolution to the floor of ball season 28–1; only thing that really mattered was Whereas on March 19, 1966, Coach Don the House. Haskins’ all-black starting line-up, the first winning. This was the philosophy Coach b 1500 such line-up to ever appear in a major cham- pionship contest, defeated the heavily-fa- Haskins used on the night of March 19, It does not cost us any money. All we vored University of Kentucky to win the 1966. That night the Texas Western are doing is congratulating, encour- NCAA Basketball Championship, an event Miners made history by defeating the aging private enterprise to be more di- defined by many as the ‘‘Brown v. Board of number-one-ranked, all-white Univer- verse in their customer base, in their Education of athletics’’; sity of Kentucky Wildcats for the employment base, in their opportuni- Whereas the Miners’ victory accelerated NCAA basketball championship, a ties that are extended to all Ameri- the pace of racial integration in college ath- game of historical significance because letics and contributed to the expansion of cans. That is what this is all about. It no other college team at the time had deserves our unqualified support, and I the civil rights movement into the realm of sports; ever started five black players in a encourage my colleagues to support it Whereas when recounting his historic im- major championship contest. In fact, without even thinking about it a sec- pact on diversity in college sports, Don when Texas Western defeated Ken- ond time. Haskins said, ‘‘I just played my best guys, tucky 72–65, a game still celebrated as Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I like any coach would do.’’; and one of the biggest college basketball have no further requests for time, and Whereas over the course of his career Don upsets in NCAA history, there were no I yield back the balance of my time. Haskins also coached the Miners to 32 win- black basketball players in the South- ning seasons, seven Western Athletic Con- Mr. KELLER. Mr. Speaker, I have no eastern or Atlantic Coast Conferences. further requests for time, and I yield ference championships, four Western Ath- letic Conference tournament titles, and 21 This remarkable triumph helped shift back the balance of my time. post-season appearances, creating a proud the national perception of black ath- The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. tradition of college basketball success and letes and helped bring about the wide- CONAWAY). The question is on the mo- community spirit in El Paso that persists to spread desegregation of college sports. tion offered by the gentleman from this day and winning entry into the In turn, the desegregation of college Florida (Mr. KELLER) that the House Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame sports helped to spread greater equal- suspend the rules and agree to the reso- in 1997: Now, therefore, be it ity throughout American society. Resolved, That the House of Representa- lution, H. Res. 677. Mr. Speaker, the man behind Texas The question was taken; and (two- tives celebrates the 40th anniversary of Texas Western’s 1966 NCAA Basketball Western’s success is Don Haskins. His thirds having voted in favor thereof) Championship and recognizes the 38-year reign at Texas Western, now the rules were suspended and the reso- groundbreaking impact of the title game vic- the University of Texas El Paso, al- lution was agreed to. tory on diversity in sports and civil rights in lowed him to become one of the A motion to reconsider was laid on America. winningest coaches in NCAA history. the table. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- He amassed a 719–354 record, 32 winning f ant to the rule, the gentleman from seasons, seven Western Athletic Con- CELEBRATING THE 40TH ANNIVER- Florida (Mr. KELLER) and the gen- ference Championships, four Western SARY OF TEXAS WESTERN’S 1966 tleman from Texas (Mr. HINOJOSA) each Athletic Tournament titles, and 21 NCAA BASKETBALL CHAMPION- will control 20 minutes. post-season appearances. In 1997, Coach SHIP The Chair recognizes the gentleman Haskins was inducted into the from Florida. Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Mr. KELLER. Mr. Speaker, I move to GENERAL LEAVE Fame. He retired from coaching in 1999. suspend the rules and agree to the reso- Mr. KELLER. Mr. Speaker, I ask Coach Don Haskins is truly a living lution (H. Res. 668) celebrating the 40th unanimous consent that all Members legend in college sports. He believed anniversary of Texas Western’s 1966 may have 5 legislative days within that as a coach he should recruit the NCAA Basketball Championship and which to revise and extend their re- best raw talent he could find no matter recognizing the groundbreaking impact marks on H. Res. 668. the player’s race, background, or life of the title game victory on diversity The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there story. If not for the colorblind dream of in sports and civil rights in America, objection to the request of the gen- Coach Haskins to win basketball games as amended. tleman from Florida? with his team’s most talented players, The Clerk read as follows: There was no objection. history may not have been made on the H. RES. 668 Mr. KELLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield night of March 19, 1966. Whereas Don Haskins was a high school myself such time as I may consume. I want to thank my colleague from basketball star at Enid High School in Enid, It gives me great pleasure to rise in Texas (Mr. REYES) for introducing this Oklahoma, a college standout at Oklahoma support of House Resolution 668, which legislation and bringing forth a lesser A&M (now Oklahoma State) under his men- celebrates the 40th anniversary of known, yet significant, piece of history tor, Coach Hank Iba, and a successful Texas high school basketball coach, amassing a Texas Western’s 1966 NCAA basketball in college athletics. I am happy to join 157–41 win-loss record coaching Benjamin, championship and recognize the my colleagues in celebrating the 40th Hedley, and Dumas High Schools; groundbreaking impact of the title anniversary of Texas Western’s 1966 Whereas in 1961 Don Haskins became the game victory on diversity in sports and NCAA basketball championship. I ask coach of the men’s basketball team at Texas civil rights in America. my colleagues to support this resolu- Western College, which was later renamed Texas Western’s victory occurred 40 tion. the University of Texas at El Paso; years ago, 1966, during the midst of the Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of Whereas early in the 1965–1966 basketball civil rights movement to end discrimi- my time. season Don Haskins told Texas Western nation against blacks. The 1954 Brown president Joseph Ray, ‘‘The way our boys Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, I yield line up now, my six best boys are black. If I v. Board of Education decision and the myself such time as I may consume. leave two or three of them out because Civil Rights Act of 1964 outlawed insti- Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to rise they’re black, they’ll know it. [And] the tutional racial segregation. In Viet- in support of H. Res. 668, a resolution white boys will know it.’’; nam, blacks were fighting and dying to celebrate the 40th anniversary of

VerDate Aug 31 2005 02:31 Nov 18, 2006 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\RECORDCX\T37X$J0E\H28FE6.REC H28FE6 ccoleman on PROD1PC71 with CONG-REC-ONLINE February 28, 2006 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H401 Texas Western’s 1966 NCAA basketball Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, I yield ground, I found extraordinary signifi- championship. 61⁄2 minutes to my friend and colleague cance in that 1966 game. I am proud to join my colleague and from El Paso, Texas (Mr. REYES), the b 1515 very good friend, the resolution’s au- author of this legislation. thor, Congressman SILVESTRE REYES Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I thank my I was a Texas Western student during from El Paso, in commemorating the colleague from Texas and also the gen- the fall semester of 1965 and had an op- 40th anniversary of this watershed tleman from Florida for allowing us portunity to see these great players event in our struggle for racial equal- the time to speak here on this very im- play. Shortly thereafter, I was drafted ity. portant event, not just for El Paso and into the Army and eventually went on On March 19, 1966, Texas Western Col- not just for Texas but for our whole to fight in Vietnam. In March of 1966, I lege’s Coach Don Haskins led an all- country, for a whole generation of was still in El Paso, only stationed at black starting lineup to a 72–65 win players and those that have benefited Fort Bliss doing basic training. For over an all-white team from the bas- from their accomplishments. those of us who were in the military at ketball powerhouse, University of Ken- I rise today in strong support, Mr. the time, the hypocrisy of America’s tucky. For Coach Haskins, he was sim- Speaker, of H. Res. 668, a resolution racial policies were very clear. We saw ply putting his best players on the that celebrates the 40th anniversary of a country that would not hesitate to floor. For the Nation, he delivered the Texas Western’s 1966 NCAA basketball send black and Hispanic soldiers to message that in competition, talent championship, recognizing the fight and die in foreign wars, but would and ability mattered more than race. groundbreaking impact of that title not fight for us back at home. This is a lesson that we are still learn- game victory on diversity in sports Coach Haskins’ and the Miners’ vic- ing today. and, of course, on the impact, as my tory helped reveal to a nation the ab- The young men who took Texas colleagues have stated, of civil rights surdity of racism and the futility of Western College to a 28–1 championship in America. segregation. season braved racism and hostile I am proud to have introduced this I returned from Vietnam and chose a crowds to carry their team and their bill and honored to have the oppor- career in public service and a career in college to victory. I invite you to see tunity to speak in this Chamber today which my successes followed from my this 1966 team photo in front of Memo- about the importance of what a basket- abilities and my own hard work. Of rial Gym, courtesy of the University of ball team and a coach achieved 40 years course, I found that life does not abide Texas El Paso. These champions were ago. by that perfect rule of a game like bas- Bobby Joe Hill, Orsten Artis, Togo This afternoon I want to thank Lead- ketball, but I remain inspired today by Railey, Willie Worsley, David Palacio, er BOEHNER and Chairman MCKEON and Texas Western’s win, and I know that I Dick Meyers, Harry Flournoy, Louis Ranking Member MILLER for their sup- would not have had the opportunities I Baudoin, Nevil Shed, Jerry Armstrong, port in bringing this very important did have had it not been for the cour- Willie Cager, and David Lattin. legislation to the floor. age of people like Don Haskins and his It is fitting that on this 40th anniver- On March 19, 1966, the Miners of Miners. sary of the 1966 Miners breaking the Texas Western, which is now UTEP, led Today, a university, a city and a color barrier in the NCAA champion- by Coach Don Haskins, defeated the country are improved by the achieve- ship game, that we reflect on how far University of Kentucky at Cole Field ment of that 1966 team. Soon after that we have come and how far we have yet House in College Park, Maryland. This championship, Texas Western became to go. College enrollments are at an significant championship game gave the University of Texas at El Paso or, all-time high; and yet black, Hispanic, the NCAA basketball championship at as we call it now, UTEP, and its bas- and low-income students are not en- a crucial time to Texas Western Col- ketball program continued to thrive rolling and graduating at the rates we lege. under Coach Haskins until his retire- need for our Nation to put its best At a time when the bitter politics of ment, as my colleagues have said, in players on the floor. racism dictated to many coaches 1999. Coach Haskins eventually led Texas Western College is now the around the country who got to play, UTEP to 32 winning seasons, seven University of Texas El Paso. As an in- Coach Haskins started five black play- Western Athletic Conference cham- stitution, it continues to lead the ers in the NCAA basketball champion- pionships, four Western Athletic Con- charge in developing our best talents ship game, the first time in America ference tournament titles, and 21 post- without regard to race, ethnicity, or that this country had seen an all-black season appearances. family income. The University of starting lineup in a major champion- Last year, the Miners won 27 games, Texas El Paso is one of our Nation’s ship contest. 16 at our own Don Haskins Center in El leading Hispanic-serving institutions: In 1966, as a strengthening civil Paso, named after the great coach, and 72 percent of its students are Hispanic. rights movement met poisonous polit- they also earned a spot in the NCAA It is third in the Nation for producing ical dispute and violence, the Miners tournament. This year, they are again Hispanic undergraduates, and is also were clearly able to demonstrate to a near the top of their conference, a tes- rated the top engineering school for Nation and the sports world the virtue tament to the enduring tradition of Hispanics. Since 1988, it has been led by of desegregation and equality. college basketball success created by a Latina, Dr. Diana Natalicio, a top ad- As the athletic establishment abided Don Haskins. ministrator and a trailblazer by any- by that unwritten rule that said, play The university itself has been trans- one’s measure. two on the road, three if you are really formed from a small mining school The University of Texas El Paso, in behind, referring of course to black into a hub of academic excellence and the spirit of the 1966 championship players, Coach Haskins looked past the world-class research. El Paso, long Miners, continues to break barriers and color of the players’ skin and con- proud of its Miners and its NCAA continues to refuse to let race, eth- centrated on winning games and even- championship, has enjoyed the atten- nicity, or family income trump talent tually the national championship. tion of a nation this year, as millions and hard work. Years later Coach Haskins would say, of Americans have fallen in love with I hope that all my colleagues will ‘‘I just played my best guys like any the Miners through the recently re- join me in celebrating this milestone coach would do.’’ That simple prin- leased film ‘‘Glory Road,’’ which is cur- in college athletics and racial equality. cipled courage changed the course of rently being shown around the country. Please join me in saluting the Miners American athletics and provided an It is especially important for us to on the 40th anniversary of their NCAA important advance in the struggle of honor the 1966 Miners today on the eve championship, and I urge you to vote civil rights in our Nation. of their accomplishment, here shown in for this legislation. The Texas Western’s championship that championship game against Ken- Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of was an event defined by many as the tucky. We must revise our historical my time. Brown v. Board of Education of ath- injustice, the injustice of a group of Mr. KELLER. Mr. Speaker, I reserve letics. Like many whose lives were con- men being judged by who they were, the balance of my time. strained by their appearance and back- not how they played.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 02:31 Nov 18, 2006 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\RECORDCX\T37X$J0E\H28FE6.REC H28FE6 ccoleman on PROD1PC71 with CONG-REC-ONLINE H402 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE February 28, 2006 At the time, the Texas Western Min- support this resolution and urge its young men and women to work to- ers were denied an opportunity to ap- passage. gether. pear on the Ed Sullivan Show, but just Mr. KELLER. Mr. Speaker, I have no I want to congratulate the manager last week I want to commend President further speakers, and I will continue to of this bill, Congressman HINOJOSA, and Bush and First Lady Laura Bush as reserve the balance of my time at this congratulate Congressman REYES, for they honored this team at the White point. their wisdom in saluting these young House, shown here in this photograph Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, I yield men, and I am delighted to have been with the President, the original mem- such time as she may consume to an- an original cosponsor. bers of that 1966 championship team. other good friend and colleague from Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the pro- So this afternoon I want to congratu- the great State of Texas, Congress- posed bill, H. Res. 668, ‘‘Celebrating the 40th late Coach Don Haskins, Bobby Joe woman SHEILA JACKSON-LEE of Hous- anniversary of Texas Western’s 1966 National Hill, Orsten Artis, Togo Railey, Willie ton. Collegiate Athletic Association Basketball Worsley, David Palacio, Dick Myers, Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Championship victory.’’ Harry Flournoy, Louis Baudoin, Nevil Speaker, let me thank my dear friend On March 19, 1966, Coach Don Haskins Shed, Jerry Armstrong, Willie Cager, from Texas, Congressman HINOJOSA, and his Texas Western College Miners ad- and David ‘‘Big Daddy’’ Lattin on the and of course, allow me to add my vanced to the NCAA Championship game occasion of the 40th anniversary of very, very, very sincere congratula- against the segregated, all-White University of their NCAA championship and for all of tions and appreciations to my friend Kentucky Wildcats. Coach Haskins made the their successes in their lives. Today, and Representative from El Paso, the decision to put in an all-Black starting lineup, we also remember, of course, Bobby Honorable SILVESTRE REYES. something that had never been done before. Joe Hill who died and was unable to be For those of you who are trying to He made the announcement prior to the game and was thought to be a fool. It was the in this photograph here in 2002. get your eyes and your ears focused on So, Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge my this debate, let me just remind you of notion at the time that a team had to have at colleagues to support H. Res. 668. a celebrated movie by the name of least one White player on the lineup to have Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, I am ‘‘Glory Road.’’ Today, we have the op- a shot at winning a game, let alone the Na- pleased to yield 4 minutes to the dis- portunity to celebrate the real deal, tional Championship. Coach Haskins and his tinguished gentleman from Illinois the real thing, and that team was TW Miners shattered that school of thought with their triumphant win against the Wildcats. (Mr. DAVIS). known as Texas Western, now known The victory on the court was not only a vic- (Mr. DAVIS of Illinois asked and was as the University of Texas at El Paso. tory for the Miners, but a victory for civil rights. given permission to revise and extend Just think of 40 years ago, 1966, or 2 When Coach Haskins made the decision to his remarks.) years after the 1964 Civil Rights Act, 1 start an all-Black lineup, he did so not to make Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I year after the 1965 Voting Rights Act a statement about racial equality, but in his want to thank the gentleman from and 3 years after the tragedy of the own words to ‘‘play my five best players. Race Texas (Mr. HINOJOSA) for yielding me four little girls in Birmingham. This was a tumultuous time in America’s didn’t matter to me.’’ time, and I want to extend serious, se- The team’s win was much more than simply history, and so the idea of a coach, al- rious commendations to the gentleman a win on the basketball court signaling that a beit the right idea, to place on the from Texas (Mr. REYES) for his intro- change had taken place in collegiate sports. duction of this resolution, for his keen court of a basketball championship The bold step taken by Don Haskins acceler- insight and the opportunity to note game five black boys, young men, to be ated the pace that athletic teams were being progress in our country. able to play against the favored team, integrated throughout the South. Forty years ago, on March 19, 1966, the University of Kentucky, was in The team’s success did not come without a the Texas Western basketball team, itself a shocking, shocking occurrence. price. After the win Coach Haskins received the Miners, defeated the University of But yet Don Haskins, a courageous or over 40,000 hate mail letters, illustrating the Kentucky at Cole Field House in Col- just a wise leader, decided to put his climate of hostility towards African Americans lege Park, Maryland, to win the NCAA best foot forward, and out of that came in the South during that time. basketball championship. the 1966 Texas Western team. The team’s accomplishments both paralleled This victory marked the first time Might I congratulate all of the play- and contributed to the landmark events being that an all-black starting lineup ap- ers: Bobby Joe Hill, Orsten Artis, Togo made in the civil rights movement at the time. peared in a major championship ath- Railey, Willie Worsley, David Palacio, Basketball historian Neil Isaacs has called it letic contest. Dick Myers, Harry Flournoy, Louis the ‘‘Brown v. Board of Education of college Often regarded as the Brown v. Board Baudoin, Nevil Shed, Jerry Armstrong, basketball . . . Since that time, no pretender of Education of sports, the Miners’ vic- Willie Cager, and right from the great to basketball eminence has ever drawn a color tory over the heavily favored Wildcats city of Houston, now the fourth largest line in its recruiting.’’ ushered college basketball specifically, city in the Nation, David ‘‘Big Daddy’’ I am proud to say that one of the most influ- and sports more generally, into the Lattin. ential players on the team, David Latin, hails civil rights movement. Prior to this We are delighted to be able to join from my district of Houston. The massive 6′7″ event, athletics remained largely insu- my colleagues from Texas to say that Center, paved the way for the team, scoring lated from the civil rights swell. we are proud of that measure of civil 16 points in the title game. As a testament to This bill recognizes the historic ac- rights history. We salute certainly the Latin’s skill, he advanced to the NBA as a complishment of Coach Don Haskins wisdom of Don Haskins, and remind first-round pick to play for the San Francisco and the 12 players from the 1966 team. America that sports and the playing Warriors. These players deserve recognition field, whether they be courts, or tennis The memory of the team and their magnifi- today, and two of the gentlemen are courts, whether they be the NFL play- cent 1966 NCAA Championship win has re- close neighbors to my congressional ing field or whether they be the base- cently been captured in the Disney film ‘‘Glory district, Orsten Artis and Harry ball field or the soccer field, we know Road.’’ The memory of Coach Haskins has Flournoy, both from Gary, Indiana. that sports generate character and in- been solidified by his induction into the These men finished the basketball tegrity, but it also develops Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame for his re- season with an impressive 28–1 record. teamsmanship. So the idea of the markable achievements as a coach. Ultimately, Coach Haskins led the youngsters of America today playing As a Member of Congress deeply con- Miners to 33 winning seasons and 21 on the playing fields of athletic Amer- cerned with advancing the causes of civil lib- post-season appearances. ica hopefully will create the new civil erties and a co-sponsor of H. Con. Res. 59, a This resolution recognizes the incred- rights movement. And as a city that bill similar to the one before us, which recog- ible effect that the 1966 NCAA basket- just experienced the All Star Game, I nized both the teams and players of African- ball championship of Texas Western, can tell you the whole game of basket- American basketball teams for their achieve- now the University of Texas at El ball certainly represents diversity as ment and contribution to basketball and to the Paso, had on promoting diversity in we have our young men, and many of Nation prior to the integration of the white pro- sports and accelerating racial integra- those who have come from foreign fessional leagues, I ask my colleagues to join tion in college sports. I am pleased to lands, but it also is an opportunity for with me in support of H. Res. 668.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 02:31 Nov 18, 2006 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 9920 E:\RECORDCX\T37X$J0E\H28FE6.REC H28FE6 ccoleman on PROD1PC71 with CONG-REC-ONLINE February 28, 2006 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H403 Today we should rise and honor the mem- Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to The Texas Western Miners’ victory was a ory of both the Texas Western College team thank Congressman SILVESTRE REYES for of- watershed moment for diversity in college ath- and their coach, Don Haskins, who led them fering House Resolution 668, a resolution letics. It helped expand the civil rights move- to a National Championship, and in doing so which celebrates this year’s 40th anniversary ment into the realm of sports. On January 13, advanced the cause of civil rights and de- of Texas Western’s 1966 NCAA Basketball 2006, Walt Disney Pictures released Glory creased segregation in athletics. Championship. Road, which tells the story of the historic 1966 Mr. GONZALEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in The year of 1966 marked a number of season and pays tribute to the dedication and strong support of H. Res. 668 to give recogni- ‘‘firsts’’ by African Americans. The Honorable bravery of Coach Haskins. tion where recognition is long overdue. With Robert C. Weaver became the first African Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, I have this resolution, Congress applauds the American Cabinet member with his appoint- no more speakers, and I yield back the groundbreaking significance of the 1966 ment as Secretary of Housing and Urban De- balance of my time. NCAA Division I men’s basketball champion- velopment, Edward Brooke became the first Mr. KELLER. Mr. Speaker, I also ship in which Texas Western upset the heavily popularly elected African American to the yield back the balance of my time. favored University of Kentucky. That year, the United States Senate, and it also marked the The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Miners had an all-Black starting line-up, a first first time a collegiate basketball team, the CONAWAY). The question is on the mo- in a national championship competition that Texas Western Miners, sporting an all African tion offered by the gentleman from helped change the perception of Black ath- American line-up won the NCAA Men’s Divi- Florida (Mr. KELLER) that the House letes. sion I Basketball Championship. suspend the rules and agree to the reso- Texas Western Coach Don Haskins and his What made this victory important, and what lution, H. Res. 668, as amended. players may not have set out to change his- we are commemorating here today, is not the The question was taken. tory, but they did. The 1966 championship fact that a team starting all African American The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the game helped pave the way for integration of student athletes beat a team of all White stu- opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of athletics, opening sports to the civil rights dent athletes. We commemorate rather, the those present have voted in the affirm- movement, often being dubbed, the Brown v. closing of one more chapter of segregation ative. Board of Education of sports. The next sea- and bigotry to a new chapter where we judge Mr. KELLER. Mr. Speaker, on that I son, the Southwest Conference was inte- an individual on the content of their character demand the yeas and nays. grated, and in 1967–68, Vanderbilt broke the and qualifications and not on the color of their The yeas and nays were ordered. Southeast Conference color barrier. skin. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Unfortunately, it has taken decades before The Texas Western Miners, in their victory ant to clause 8 of rule XX and the Coach Haskins and his players’ achievements over the University of Kentucky Wildcats, Chair’s prior announcement, further have been recognized. In 1966 there were no opened up numerous opportunities for student proceedings on this question will be trips to the White House or appearances on athletes of all races and creeds to attend col- postponed. the Ed Sullivan show, both customary for na- lege, participate in sports, and become eligible f tional champions. The team did not even re- for athletic scholarships. The fact that the im- ceive national championship rings until their pact that this victory did so much to change MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT 20-year reunion in 1986. the perception of African-American athletes A message in writing from the Presi- It is time to recognize the profound contribu- and to speed the desegregation of intercolle- dent of the United States was commu- tion to the civil rights movement that this game giate sports, has lead many people to label nicated to the House by Mr. Sherman spurred, and to recognize the 1966 NCAA Di- this historic event as the Brown v. Board of Williams, one of his secretaries. vision I men’s basketball champions, the Education of athletics. f Texas Western Miners. I urge my colleagues Finally, any tribute to the Minors would be in joining me in supporting this bipartisan leg- incomplete without acknowledging their coach, LOUIS BRAILLE BICENTENNIAL— islation. Don Haskins. Coach Haskins is to be com- BRAILLE LITERACY COMMEMO- Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. mended for his continued commitment to build RATIVE COIN ACT Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 1966 on the foundation of integration that he inher- Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I move to sus- Texas Western Men’s Basketball Team. Their ited at Texas Western—the first college in a pend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. NCAA championship victory over Kentucky Southern state to integrate its athletic teams— 2872) to require the Secretary of the forever changed college athletics. and for his courage in facing collegiate basket- Treasury to mint coins in commemora- Even though it had been over a decade ball’s racial issues directly. tion of Louis Braille, as amended. since Brown v. Board of Education, many col- Mr. MARCHANT. Mr. Speaker, today I rec- The Clerk read as follows: leges had lagged behind on implementing in- ognize the 40th anniversary of Texas West- H.R. 2872 tegration into their athletics programs. In 1966, ern’s 1966 NCAA Basketball Championship. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- college basketball players were often recruited The title game had a profound impact on the resentatives of the United States of America in on the basis of their skin color rather than state of racial integration in sports and civil Congress assembled, playing ability. Texas Western coach Bob rights in America. SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. Haskins did not succumb to pressures to start On March 16, 1966, Coach Don Haskins led This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Louis his White players. He simply played his best the first ever all-Black starting lineup to play in Braille Bicentennial—Braille Literacy Com- players regardless of skin color. a major championship contest in a victory over memorative Coin Act’’. This resulted in the first time an all-Black the heavily-favored Kentucky Wildcats. SEC. 2. FINDINGS. starting line-up participated in a major athletic Coach Haskins played high school basket- The Congress finds as follows: championship contest. The impact was felt ball in Enid, Oklahoma, and in college at Okla- (1) Louis Braille, who invented the Braille throughout the country when little-known homa A&M (now Oklahoma State). He then method for reading and writing by the blind Texas Western upset legendary all-White Ken- became a successful high school basketball that has allowed millions of blind people to tucky. coach in Texas. Haskins was a coach at be literate participants in their societies, Perhaps most important in this victory was Dumas High School before becoming the was born in Coupvray, a small village near Paris, on January 4, 1809. the stereotypes and misconceptions that were head of the men’s team at Texas Western (2) Braille lost his sight at the age of three broken down. For many, the assumption re- College, now the University of Texas at El after injuring himself with an awl in the mained that Black players would not be skilled Paso, in 1961. shop of his father Rene, a maker of harnesses or smart enough to successfully compete Haskins coached the Miners to 33 winning and other objects of leather. against White players. Bob Haskins and Texas seasons over the course of his career with the (3) A youth who was both intelligent and Western proved on a national stage that Black Miners. He won seven Western Athletic Con- creative and was blessed with dedicated par- players can win and are as smart and talented ference championships, four Western Athletic ents, a thoughtful local priest and an ener- as their White counterparts. Conference tournament titles, and made 21 getic local schoolteacher, Braille adapted to the situation and attended local school with The 1966 Texas Western men’s basketball post-season appearances. He established a other youths of his age, an unheard-of prac- team opened the doors for schools that had proud winning tradition in the community of El tice for a blind child of the period. stalled in implementing integration policies into Paso that still exists today. Coach Haskins (4) At the age of 10, when his schooling oth- their athletics programs; breaking down bar- was voted in to the Naismith Memorial Basket- erwise would have stopped, Braille—with the riers and forever changing college athletics. ball Hall of Fame in 1997. aid of the priest and schoolteacher—was

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