May 30, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 90 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session
IN REMEMBRANCE OF THE EXTRAORDINARY LIFE AND LEGACY OF COACH OTIS WASHINGTON; Congressional Record Vol. 165, No. 90
(Extensions of Remarks - May 30, 2019)
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[Extensions of Remarks] [Page E685] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] IN REMEMBRANCE OF THE EXTRAORDINARY LIFE AND LEGACY OF COACH OTIS WASHINGTON ______ HON. TERRI A. SEWELL of alabama in the house of representatives Thursday, May 30, 2019 Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary life and legacy of the late Coach Otis Washington. A native of Selma, Alabama, Coach Washington was a legendary football and Louisiana Hall of Famer, who instilled in his players his winning spirit, stalwart character and quest for excellence. He led St. Augustine High School to three state championships before moving on to coach at LSU and Southern University. Sadly, Coach Washington passed away on Friday, May 24, 2019 at the age of 80. Coach Washington was born on February 12, 1939 in Selma, Alabama to Sadie and Otis Washington, Sr. He graduated from R.B. Hudson High School in 1957 where he was class president and a star athlete. He then graduated from Xavier University in New Orleans, where he was the captain of the football team and an All-Conference guard and linebacker. A stellar all-around athlete, Coach Washington also made Xavier's All-Conference team in baseball. Coach Washington was a devout Catholic and devoted member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. His devotion to his faith began as a young boy in Selma, Alabama, where he was a member of the Don Bosco Catholic Boy's Club founded by Father Nelson Ziter in 1947. Coach Washington's resume speaks for itself. He led St. Augustine to state championships in 1975, 1978 and 1979, and in his 11 seasons there, he garnered a 113-17-1 record and guided the Purple Knights to 11 consecutive winning seasons and seven district titles in their ultra-competitive league. In 1979, Coach Washington became the first African American football coach at LSU when he joined the staff as an offensive line coach. In 1981, Coach Washington was hired as the head football coach at Southern University in Baton Rouge, where he led the Jaguars for six seasons, until 1986. His achievements on the football field led to his induction into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in 2015 and the St. Augustine Hall of Fame in 2017. He was also inducted into several additional halls of fame, including: The New Orleans Sports Hall of Fame--Outstanding Prep Coach (1979); New Orleans Sports Hall of Fame (1994); Louisiana High School Athletic Association Sports Hall of Fame (2012); Southern University Sports Hall of Fame (2016); and Xavier University Hall of Fame (2017). His success on the football field was matched by his many efforts in the community to promote fairness, equity and justice. ``Coach Wash,'' as he was known by most, was a key figure in the integration of the Louisiana High School Athletic Association (LHSAA). Three years before Coach Washington took over at St. Augustine, a lawsuit allowed the school to compete in the LHSAA, rather than the all-black Louisiana Interscholastic Athletic and Literary Organization. St. Augustine, led by Coach Washington, often found itself caught in the middle of a changing, difficult social environment, and on the losing end of many officials' calls. In 1970, when all-black St. Augustine team faced off against an all-white team in Chalmette, the team was escorted by police. On the field, the players were surrounded by a dozen officers and police dogs. Despite the environment, though, the team, persevered and eventually made it to the state championship--and won. While Coach Washington was often quick to downplay his role in integrating the league and said he did not see himself as a civil rights leader, his guidance opened doors of opportunity for countless members of the African American community, and many of his players credit his leadership with the team's persistence and determination to make it to the state finals, despite the difficult racial social climate. He demanded discipline and attention to detail from both his players and assistant coaches at every level of the game, from St. Augustine to LSU. These lessons remained with his players even after they had hung up their cleats. Coach Washington is survived by his wife of over 52 years, Linda Patterson Washington of Baton Rouge, whom he met while coaching at St. Augustine; his siblings, Carol C. Black, Olivia Washington, Charlene W. Brown, Theopolis, Sr. (Jacqueline), Sharon D. Williams (Tyrone R., Sr.), Irma Ruth McQueen, and many godchildren, special grandchildren, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. On a personal note, I knew this amazing man as my ``Uncle Otis.'' He was one of my father's best childhood friends. Uncle Otis, my dad, Charles Williams and Ted Washington referred to themselves as the ``Four Amigos'' in grammar school, a name that stuck throughout their lifetimes. These men never forgot the lessons they learned from Father Nelson Ziter at the Don Bosco Boy's Club of Selma, nor the friendship that bound them forever. They shared a deep love of their hometown of Selma and a commitment to service through sports. Uncle Otis and Auntie Linda were a constant presence in the lives of my twin brothers and me. I could always count on them for words of encouragement and boasts of pride in my accomplishments. I know that I stand today as Alabama's first black Congresswoman because of the love, support, nurturing and prayers of the mentors, family and friends like Uncle Otis. Like my dad, Coach Otis Washington will be missed, but never forgotten. The legacy Uncle Otis leaves behind will live on in the many lives that he impacted. May we find comfort in knowing that his legend lives in us, and we are stronger and better because Uncle Otis' light shines bright within us. On behalf of Alabama's 7th Congressional District, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the extraordinary life and legacy of Selma, Alabama native Coach Otis Washington, a football coaching legend and Louisiana Hall of Famer. May we celebrate the totality of his life today and honor always his great accomplishments in sports and contributions in shaping the hearts, minds and character of men. ____________________