H68 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE January 31, 2000 them as well, because we know that at sea in search of freedom away from TRIBUTE TO KURT WARNER, A they are coming back and getting that that bamboo gulag. Because he knows REAL AMERICAN HERO much stronger. the value and the sanctity of freedom, The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a I want to congratulate our quarter- Hai Tran believes it is Elian’s right to previous order of the House, the gen- back, too, our quarterback for the Ten- life and liberty here in the United tleman from Minnesota (Mr. GUT- nessee Titans and Eddie George and Al States. KNECHT) is recognized for 5 minutes. Del Greco, and we can go on and on I ask those who support INS’s unilat- Mr. GUTKNECHT. Mr. Speaker, I rise with the great players we have had, eral decision to return Elian to Cuba to tonight to talk about a tribute to a and Marcus Robertson, who was hurt in heed the questions proposed by Susan very special person. President Reagan the game before, who was decent Rosenbluth in her editorial for the once observed that those who say there enough through his foundation to give newspaper Jewish Voice and Opinion. are no more American heroes, well, us or send four young people to Wash- She writes, ‘‘Imagine a Jewish father they just do not know where to look. ington, D.C. to a youth violence event. in Addis Ababa circa 1983, or Moscow Paul Simon asked a haunting ques- Those are the kinds of examples we circa 1987, or Damascus circa 1990, or tion in his song many years ago, need in the future, not just football Tehran right now. ‘‘Where have you gone, Joe DiMaggio? players but football players with cour- A Nation turns its lonely eyes to you.’’ age, football players with character Imagine the boy’s mother finds a way America has always wanted heroes, and that will set an example to our young to escape with the child. In the midst too often in sports we have found people as we move into the 21st cen- of the plan, something goes wrong and counterheroes. tury and prepare for the future. she dies, but miraculously, the little I want to pay tribute tonight to a boy makes it. When he wakes up, he real American hero, a gentleman by finds himself in Tel Aviv surrounded by the name of Kurt Warner. The Warner ELIAN AND FREEDOM his family, but the father is still in the story has been documented in the last The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a country where dictators have the last week or so by many sports scribes, and previous order of the House, the gentle- word. Would the boy be returned to I do want to ultimately submit for the woman from Florida (Ms. ROS- whatever totalitarian nightmare his RECORD an article which was written LEHTINEN) is recognized for 5 minutes. mother had rescued him from?’’ by the sports editor of our local news- Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, Susan Rosenbluth continues, in the paper, Bob Brown in the Rochester there are those who doubt the argu- Jewish Voice and Opinion, ‘‘If our Post Bulletin. ment that returning Elian Gonzalez to hearts know the right answer for the I guess I have a special feeling for Cuba actually means returning a 6- hypothetical Jewish child in that Kurt Warner for a lot of reasons. First year-old boy to the Castro regime. story, then we must understand that of all, his grandparents are from There are those who question the im- Elian Gonzalez, the little boy whose Faribault, Minnesota, which is in my portance or relevance of the sacrifice mother died trying to rescue him from district. Second, he went to the same that Elian’s mother made to ensure Cuba, belongs in the U.S., and that if college that I did, the University of that he would live in freedom. There his loving father could speak freely, Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, Iowa. are still others who would question that is what he would say, too. Third, he worked for the Hy-Vee gro- Elian’s ability to express his own de- cery store in Cedar Falls, Iowa, and so sires and to help determine his own After focusing on these statements, it is difficult to discount the impor- did I. Fourth, I guess I would have to fate. say, his wife, Brenda, spent several of However, those who have lived under tance of considering the environment that Elian would be exposed to in Cuba. her formative years living in a home on totalitarian rule do not doubt. They West Ninth Street in Cedar Falls, Iowa, know what it means to live in fear, in It becomes readily apparent that a forum must be provided where the right next to my parents. fear of persecution, in fear of arrest, in So I guess I have had a fairly special mother’s wishes and ultimate sacrifice fear of torture and even death because relationship, even though Kurt Warner are also evaluated. This can only take of one’s belief. They have suffered en- and I have never met. But I have fol- place, justice can indeed only be served slavement and subjugation by Com- lowed his career from the time he was by allowing a court of law to hear the munist regimes which not only stole at UNI, and I have come to appreciate case. their present but destroyed their fu- not only his talents on the field, but ture by exerting absolute control over The INS disagrees because it is ap- the kind of human being that he really their children’s lives. Someone once plying Cuban law to the case. Congress, is. We saw that yesterday, and we have said, it is easy to take liberty for however, must be guided by U.S. laws seen it as his career has developed. granted when you have never had it and international standards requiring He has kept his head on straight. He taken from you. due process. has kept his focus on the things that I ask those who seek to oversimplify President Harry Truman once said, were important in his life. The story is this case by advocating Elian’s imme- you know that being an American is just such a powerful story. It could not diate return, without a court hearing more than a matter of where your par- have happened to a nicer individual. and without following U.S. law, not to ents come from. It is a belief that all The story of Kurt Warner is one that make that mistake. I ask them to hear men are created free and equal, and every American should be proud of. He the pleas of the members of organiza- that everyone deserves an even break. went to college and was red-shirted his tions such as the Americans for Human first year, spent 3 years on the bench, Rights in Ukraine, who are appealing That is my belief, and I know it is and finally got his chance to play at to Congress to act in Elian’s case. my colleagues’, as well. I ask that we the University of Northern Iowa. He They write: ‘‘We know from recent live up to our commitment to uphold led his team to the midconference past experience that Communist re- and protect the rights endowed to all championship. He was not drafted by gimes are dangerous to the health and human beings, and that we search our anybody in the NFL, but he was al- spirit of people under its control.’’ For consciences before making a summary lowed to come to the Packers’ training this reason, this group has asked us ‘‘to judgment to send Elian back to Cas- camp. He was cut. After he was cut by use our good offices to help a little boy tro’s Cuba. the Packers he returned to Cedar Falls to live in freedom.’’ We have an opportunity to make a and worked at that Hy-Vee grocery I ask Members to listen to Viet- difference in this little boy’s life; to store I talked about earlier. namese-American refugee advocate Hai demonstrate, through our actions, our The great thing about Kurt Warner is Tran, who reminds us of how many Vi- adherence to the principles that are that he never lost his faith. Like the etnamese mothers wiped off their tears the rubric of our democratic society; to parable of the talents in the Bible, he and sent their children away to a seat send a message from our resolve on be- understood that almighty God had on that rickety boat so that they half of oppressed men, women, and given him special talents, and he was might have a future, how many Viet- children everywhere. Let us not squan- expected to make the most of them, so namese mothers and their children died der it. he stuck with those talents long after

VerDate 27-JAN-2000 02:11 Feb 01, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K31JA7.041 pfrm02 PsN: H31PT1 January 31, 2000 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H69 some of the experts would probably his last year in college. He did pass for 2,747 former home of the Rams, I would like have encouraged him to give up. yards and led Northern Iowa to a Gateway to extend hearty congratulations to But the story of Kurt Warner goes Conference championship in 1993. Kurt Warner and Dick Vermeil and all on. Not only did he go on to lead the Warner wasn’t drafted by any NFL teams. He went to the green Bay Packers’ training associated with the Rams organization Rams this year to the NFL champion- camp in 1994. He was cut before camp was for their very impressive and exciting ship in the Super Bowl and to the MVP over, but he was there long enough for Pack- victory towards the end yesterday. award, but I think the story is much er quarterback Brett Favre to tag him with more powerful. After the game was the nick-name ‘‘Pop’’ Warner. over, he gave tribute and paid honor to After he was cut by the Packers he re- REPORT ON RESOLUTION PRO- where the real honor belonged, and he turned to Cedar Falls and worked for six VIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF gave all of the glory to his savior, months stocking shelves at the Hy-Vee gro- H.R. 1838, TAIWAN SECURITY EN- cery store there. Jesus Christ. I just want to say, it took Warner went on to play with the Des HANCEMENT ACT a special kind of courage for him to do Moines-based Iowa Barnstormers in the Mr. DREIER, from the Committee on that. Arena Football League for the next three Rules, submitted a privileged report The story, as I say, goes on. Not only seasons. He holds virtually all the Barn- (Rept. No. 106–490) on the resolution (H. has Warner battled obstructions on the stormers’ passing records, including 79 Res. 408) providing for consideration of touchdown passes in one season (1997). He field to get where he is, but he has also the bill (H.R. 1838) to assist in the en- had his share of off-the-field struggles, passed for 10,164 yards and 183 touchdowns in three seasons in Iowa. hancement of the security of Taiwan, as well. His in-laws were killed in a Warner signed as a free agent with the and for other purposes, which was re- tornado in Mountain View, Arkansas. Rams on Dec. 26, 1997 and then spent the ferred to the House Calendar and or- Kurt and his wife Brenda’s oldest son summer of 1998 playing in NFL Europe for dered to be printed. Zachary has been blind since suffering the Amsterdam Admirals and led the league a head injury in an accident when he in passing and touchdowns. was a baby. Zachary is only able to see Warner, a devout Christian, spent time in The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a objects that are held very close to his Amsterdam, a city known for its red light previous order of the House, the gen- face. He has been that way since he was district, leading a bible study class. tleman from Indiana (Mr. SOUDER) is Warner rejoined the Rams for the 1998 NFL recognized for 5 minutes. an infant, when his father, Brenda’s season, and spent the first 14 games on the first husband, accidentally dropped the inactive list. He saw his first NFL action of (Mr. SOUDER addressed the House. child during a bath. his career in the fourth quarter of Rams’ His remarks will appear hereafter in Zachary has head injuries, but Kurt final game against San Francisco and com- the Extensions of Remarks.) went on to adopt the child. He says pleted four of 11 passes for 39 yards. Warner was back with the Rams this sea- later in this interview, ‘‘To go home The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a and see how he struggles with every- son, only because the Cleveland Browns passed him over in the expansion draft. The previous order of the House, the gentle- thing he does helps keep things in per- line on Warner as he entered this season was: woman from Idaho (Mrs. CHENOWETH- spective,’’ Warner said. ‘‘I have realized Has potential to develop into a solid quarter- HAGE) is recognized for 5 minutes. how special a child he must be to go back in the league . . . raw talent with out- (Mrs. CHENOWETH-HAGE addressed through life with the excitement and standing arm strength and accuracy. the House. Her remarks will appear the joy he has, even though he has to The Rams had signed Trent Green who hereafter in the Extensions of Re- played at Washington last season, to be their struggle doing everything he does.’’ marks.) The story of Kurt Warner is a power- quarterback, but he suffered a knee injury in ful story, and we in America I think the preseason and was out for the year. In stepped Warner and the rest is history. He owe him a big thank you, because for led the NFL in passing and with his 41 touch- INTRODUCTION OF LEGISLATION one brief, shining moment, we were all down passes became only the second player TO PROMOTE PIPELINE SAFETY privileged to watch a real hero perform in NFL history to throw for more than 40 his art and perfect our lives. touchdowns in a season. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a On behalf of a grateful Nation, I Not only has Warner battled obstacles on previous order of the House, the gen- would like to say a special thank you the field to get to where he is, but he has had tleman from Washington (Mr. to Kurt Warner. Good luck to he and his share of of-the-field hurdles, too. His in- METCALF) is recognized for 5 minutes. his wife Brenda. We wish them only the laws were killed in a tornado in Mountain Mr. METCALF. Mr. Speaker, on June View, Ark., in 1996. Kurt and wife Brenda’s 10, 1999, a liquid gasoline pipeline best. As Paul Harvey would say, lead oldest Zachary, has been blind since suf- on. owned by the Olympic Pipeline Com- fering a head injury in an accident when he pany ruptured and spilled over 200,000 Mr. Speaker, I include for the was a baby. RECORD the article of January 29, 2000, Zachary, is only able to see objects that gallons of gasoline at Whatcom Falls from the Post-Bulletin. are held close to his face. He’s been that way Park, a 241-acre park in my district in The article referred to is as follows: since he was an infant, when his father, the city of Bellingham. Gasoline was Brenda’s first husband, accidentally dropped [From the Post-Bulletin, January 29, 2000] carried into Whatcom Creek, where it the child during a bath. Zachary’s head hit reportedly filled the creek at depths of WARNER HAS STORY TO TELL: QUARTERBACK’S the side of the tub, which damaged his brain TALE IS MEMORABLE up to 10 feet. and ruptured his retinas. The spilled fuel was inadvertently ig- The story of this Super Bowl is Kurt War- The accident almost killed the child, and ner. doctors warned Brenda that if Zachary lived nited by two 10-year-old boys, Wade What the St. Louis Rams’ quarterback has he’d never be able to see or walk or talk. He King and Stephen Tsiorvas, who were gone through to become the National Foot- survived, despite seizures in the hospital, playing with bottle rockets at the ball League’s Most Valuable Player this sea- and when the Warners got married, Kurt creek. The resulting fireball raced son and to lead his team to the Super Bowl adopted the boy, and his sister, Jesse, 8. down the length of the creek for a mile is amazing, utterly amazing. ‘‘To go home and see how he struggles with and a half, killing King, Tsiorvas, and Here are some things about Warner you everything he does helps me keep things in an 18-year-old fly fisherman named might want to keep in mind as you watch perspective,’’ Warner said. ‘‘I have realized Liam Wood. Swaths as wide as 200 feet him play in Super Bowl XXXIV Sunday how special a child he must be to go through against the Tennessee Titans. life with the excitement and joy he has even along the creek were burned within He went to high school and college just though he has to struggle doing everything minutes. down Highway 63 from us. Born in Bur- he does.’’ The explosion of June 10 caused mil- lington, Iowa, he attended Cedar Rapids So that is the Kurt Warner story. It’s dif- lions of dollars in property damage and Regis High School, lettering in football, bas- ficult not to pull for a guy like him. did immeasurable harm to the families ketball and baseball. He played college foot- Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, if the gen- and friends of Wade King, Stephen ball at Northern Iowa University in Cedar tleman will yield, I begin by congratu- Tsiorvas, and Liam Wood. Falls. He was redshirted his first year at North- lating my very good friend, the gen- I have long held reservations about ern Iowa, sat the bench for the next three tleman from Minnesota (Mr. GUT- our system of pipeline safety regula- years and started only as a fifth-year senior. KNECHT) for his very thoughtful special tions. In 1996, I voted against the pipe- Warner wasn’t even on full scholarship until order. Representing Los Angeles, the line deregulation bill because I felt it

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