CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE May 20, 1999 Governments of the Middle East Peace Dents Who Become University Presi- Track and Distance Star, George Irons, Process
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
10488 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE May 20, 1999 governments of the Middle East peace dents who become university presi- track and distance star, George Irons, process. Mr. Glueck has maintained his dents—more than any educator. kept the athletic flame burning at the long-standing commitment to public Dr. Irons was also one of Alabama’s Capstone as its ‘‘Knight of the service with his involvement in many true athletic greats—the only distance Cinderpath.’’ The late Senator John community-based organizations. He tu- man—the only University of Alabama Sparkman, a classmate of Irons, said, tored at a housing project as a student track man—ever inducted into the Ala- ‘‘George Irons was all we had to cheer in Boston, was editor-in-chief of the bama Sports Hall of Fame. Mr. Presi- about—if it hadn’t been for Irons, ath- Harvard Political Review, was a found- dent, only three men have been in- letics would have been pretty boring ing participant of the Harvard Commu- ducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of back then.’’ nications Project—an inter-ethnic dis- Fame on the first ballot: Ralph Shug His athletic feats have been heralded cussion group—and started a recycling Jordan, Paul Bear Bryant and Dr. by legendary Coach Paul ‘‘Bear’’ Bry- program at the Oxford University George Irons. He was its oldest member ant as ‘‘truly outstanding athletic dorms. at age 95. achievements,’’ Coach Wallace Wade Since 1965, the White House Fellow- Mr. President, Dr. Irons was truly an (three time Rose Bowl winner) as the ship Program has offered outstanding institution in himself. He first came to ‘‘greatest distance runner of his day,’’ citizens across the United States the Howard College (now Samford Univer- and Coach Hank Crisp as ‘‘self-made opportunity to participate in a once-in- sity) in Birmingham in 1933. When Dr. distance star for the Alabama Crimson a-lifetime experience. Fellows work Irons reported to Howard College, the Tide.’’ closely with influential leaders in gov- school was in serious financial trouble In 1923, he was described by those ernment and see U.S. policy in action. owing a half million dollars. Dr. Irons who knew him best—his fellow class- The nearly 500 alumni of the program gave a wealth of leadership, dedication mates at the University of Alabama, have gone on to become leaders in all and promise, sorely needed by Howard. including the late U.S. Senator John fields of endeavor, fulfilling the Fel- The rest of history. Today Samford Sparkman: ‘‘George Irons: The South’s greatest lowship’s mission to encourage active University is the largest privately en- distance runner and a scholarly Chris- citizenship and service to the nation. dowed Baptist school in the world; tian gentleman. He is one of the true This program is extremely competi- largest Baptist pharmacy school in the greats of Alabama athletic history, an tive, choosing individuals that have world. The only Baptist university in honor man in scholarship and a record demonstrated excellence in community America with an inspiring domed breaking athlete—that is a real man— service, leadership, and professional school of divinity on its campus. Born in Demopolis, Dr. Irons taught our Knight of the Cinderpath.’’ and academic achievement. It is the [The Corolla, 1923.] nation’s most prestigious fellowship for at Duke University for two years be- At his interment ceremonies Dr. public service and leadership develop- fore joining Samford. Dr. Irons was a Irons received full military honors. A ment. founding member of the Alabama His- 21 gun salute was fired and taps bugled Mr. Glueck had been assigned to the torical Association in 1947 and at- in honor of his valiant service in World Export-Import Bank of the U.S. during tended the 50th anniversary of the or- War II, rising to the rank of Colonel, his White House Fellowship. In this ca- ganization last year in Birmingham. with 33 years active and reserve duty. pacity, he works on ways to reconcile He was also a member of the Southern It’s no surprise his life had such bril- free trade with environmental protec- Historical Association, Alabama Bap- liant radiance. No surprise his devoted tion around the world. He has helped tist Historical Association, Bir- valiant service was so broad in scope. coordinate a campaign for environ- mingham-Jefferson Historical Society Devoted service to: mental standards of all OECD govern- and John H. Forney Historical Society. Family. His wife, Velma Wright ments that would withhold public fi- Dr. Irons historical writings were pub- Irons, a distinguished educator in her nancing for projects in developing lished by those organizations. own right—sons, Dr. George Vernon countries that damage the environ- He was past president of the Alabama Irons, Jr., Charlotte, North Carolina, a ment. In addition to these responsibil- Writer’s Conclave and received a dis- practicing cardiologist and William ities, Mr. Glueck works to counter un- tinguished service award from that or- Lee Irons, a prominent Birmingham at- fair trade practices by foreign govern- ganization in 1977. He also served as torney. Both have left notable marks ments in emerging governments and to Vice President of the Alabama Acad- on their professions of medicine and promote sales by U.S. companies with emy of Science. law. Parenthetically, Dr. George V. environmentally-beneficial products to Dr. Irons was awarded the George Irons, Sr., and his son, William L. places in Asia and Latin America that Washington Honor Medal from Free- Irons, are the only father-son listing can benefit from American know-how. dom’s at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, selected to the 1998 Who’s Who in Mr. President, I wish to congratulate in 1962 and the George Washington America from the entire State of Ala- Jeffrey Glueck for his accomplish- Honor Award in 1963. He was Director bama—yet another record for this re- ments, and especially for being a dis- of Samford’s Freedom Foundation Pro- markable man. tinguished recipient of the White gram which won a record seventeen Alma Mater. The University of Ala- House Fellowship. It is an honor to rep- consecutive awards. The Samford year- bama—where he established his name resent Mr. Glueck in the U.S. Senate.∑ book, Entre Nous, was dedicated by the in crimson flame as ‘‘one of the true f Samford student body to Dr. Irons, and greats in Alabama’s famed athletic his- unprecedented four times during his tory.’’ A Phi Beta Kappa honors stu- TRIBUTE TO DR. GEORGE VERNON teaching career—in 1941, 1960, 1969, and dent, Irons was the University of Ala- IRONS, SR. 1974. He served as a member of the Jef- bama’s—the State of Alabama—nomi- ∑ Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. President, I rise ferson County Judicial Commission nee for the Rhodes Scholarship to Eng- today to recognize one of Alabama’s from 1961 to 1965, selecting circuit land in 1924. Since the University’s great native sons, Dr. George Vernon judges for the largest judicial circuit in founding in 1831, only seven athletes Irons, Sr., and to acknowledge the eu- Alabama. have been selected to become a mem- logy by Dr. James D. Moebes, given at Dr. Irons was selected to Who’s Who ber of Phi Beta Kappa. his funeral service on July 21, 1998. in America, Who’s Who in the South College. Dr. Irons was a key player in A native of Demopolis, Dr. Irons was and Southwest, Who’s Who in Amer- seeing Howard College grow from a fi- Distinguished Professor of History and ican Education and Directory of Amer- nancially distressed school, to the larg- Political Science, Samford University, ican Scholars. est privately endowed Baptist univer- 43 years, Distinguished Professor Dr. Irons is a true Alabama sports sity in the world—an internationally Emeritus, 22 years—a Samford record. legend. In the early 1920’s, the prowess acclaimed university. Dr. Irons taught not only history but of the Alabama Crimson Tide football Dr. Irons was elected by the Samford how to make history—teaching 17 stu- had ebbed. However, Crimson Tide University Faculty to serve as Grand VerDate jul 14 2003 14:59 Jan 13, 2005 Jkt 069102 PO 00000 Frm 00146 Fmt 0686 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR99\S20MY9.005 S20MY9 May 20, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE 10489 Marshall of all academic, graduation Ms. Shin received her bachelor’s de- By 1997, that figure had risen to 84.4 and commencement exercises. Leading grees in physiobiopolitics and govern- million pounds—a shocking increase of the academic processionals for fifteen ment from Smith College and a Juris nearly 50 percent. years, carrying the silver scepter, sym- Doctor from Stanford Law School. As a Those figures have been converted to bol of Samford University’s author- law student, she worked at the U.S. carcass-weight equivalents, and are ity—Dr. Irons wore brilliant blue aca- Agency for International Development, higher than those collected by the U.S. demic gowns and silks with dignity and serving as a legal intern to the Re- Commerce Department. But that de- distinction. In 1976, the Samford Uni- gional Legal Advisor for Southern Afri- partment’s information shows no indi- versity Faculty wrote in the Univer- ca. She later joined AmeriCorps as its cation that the surge is slowing. In sity’s records by Resolution: youngest program officer and was re- 1998, a record 70.2 million pounds—by ‘‘In the long history of Samford Uni- sponsible for developing the first na- volume—of lamb meat entered the do- versity, Dr. Irons must be ranked at tional grant applications for local pro- mestic market.