October 15, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 162 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Page S5789]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              REMEMBERING WILLIAM V. ``BILL'' BIDWILL, SR.

 Ms. SINEMA. Madam President, today I wish to honor the life 
and legacy of William V. Bidwill, who passed away in Phoenix, AZ, on 
October 2, 2019, at the age of 88. As the owner of the National 
Football League's Arizona Cardinals, Mr. Bidwill loved his faith, his 
family, and football. He will be fondly remembered as a principled 
leader and generous steward of his community.
  Bill began his career in football by joining the family business as a 
ball boy for the then-Chicago Cardinals. After graduating from 
Georgetown University, Bill returned to Chicago to assist his father 
with day-to-day management of the Cardinals. Bill oversaw the team's 
move to St. Louis in 1960 and took on full ownership of the team in 
1972. In 1988, Bill moved the team to Arizona, where it has found a 
home among a dedicated and growing fan base. In his time as owner of 
the Cardinals, Bill took unprecedented steps to rearrange the team's 
front office to improve diversity across the organization, setting an 
example for other NFL franchises for years to come. Bill also founded 
Cardinals Charities in 1990 to support women, children, and minorities 
across Arizona. Cardinals Charities has donated more than $9.1 million 
to support these groups and other causes over the years.
  Bill is survived by his 5 children, 10 grandchildren, and 1 great-
grandchild. He will be dearly missed by other family members, friends, 
the Arizona Cardinals organization, and hundreds of thousands of fans 
grateful for his work to bring the National Football League to Arizona. 
Please join me in honoring his memory.

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