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[Page S2548]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
REMEMBERING DONALD FRANCIS SHULA
Mr. RUBIO. Mr. President, today, I honor the life and
achievements of Coach Shula, who passed away on May 4, 2020, at the age
of 90. I am pleased the Senate passed a resolution honoring the Pro
Football Hall of Fame coach, with the following:
Honoring the life and achievement of Pro Football Hall of Fame Coach
Donald Francis Shula and expressing condolences to his family on his
passing.
Whereas Coach Donald Francis Shula (referred to in this
preamble as ``Coach Shula'') was born on January 4, 1930, and
grew up in Painesville, Ohio;
Whereas Coach Shula's father immigrated to the United
States from Hungary;
Whereas Coach Shula attended Harvey High School and later
played collegiate football at John Carroll University;
Whereas, in 1951, the Cleveland Browns selected Coach Shula
in the ninth round of the National Football League (referred
to in this preamble as the ``NFL'') draft as a defensive
back;
Whereas, in addition to playing for the Cleveland Browns,
Coach Shula also played for the Baltimore Colts and the
Washington Redskins;
Whereas Coach Shula--
(1) began his coaching career at the University of
Virginia;
(2) also coached at the University of Kentucky; and
(3) coached as a defensive coordinator for the Detroit
Lions;
Whereas, in 1963, Coach Shula became the youngest coach in
the NFL when he took the head coaching position at the
Baltimore Colts;
Whereas, as the head coach of the Baltimore Colts, Coach
Shula--
(1) compiled a record of 71 wins, 23 losses, and 4 ties;
and
(2) won the NFL championship in 1968;
Whereas, in 1970, Coach Shula became the head coach of the
Miami Dolphins (referred to in this preamble as the
``Dolphins'');
Whereas Coach Shula remained the head coach of the Dolphins
for 26 seasons, took the Dolphins to 5 Super Bowls, and led
the Dolphins to victory in 2 of those Super Bowls;
Whereas Coach Shula led the 1972 Dolphins team to a perfect
season;
Whereas, in Super Bowl VII, Coach Shula led the Dolphins to
victory over the Washington Redskins with a score of 14 to 7;
Whereas, in Super Bowl VIII, Coach Shula led the Dolphins,
the reigning Super Bowl champions, to victory over the
Minnesota Vikings with a score of 24 to 7;
Whereas, after 33 years of coaching, Coach Shula retired
from coaching in 1995 with the NFL record for most wins by a
head coach, compiling a regular season record of 328 wins,
156 losses, and 6 ties and a postseason record of 19 wins and
17 losses;
Whereas Coach Shula was inducted into the Pro Football Hall
of Fame in 1997;
Whereas, following his coaching days, Coach Shula--
(1) supported many charities;
(2) gave generously to his local parish; and
(3) established the Don Shula Foundation to assist with
breast cancer research; and
Whereas Coach Shula, a loving husband, father, grandfather,
son, and brother, passed away on May 4, 2020, at 90 years of
age: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) recognizes the life and achievements of Pro Football
Hall of Fame Coach Donald Francis Shula (referred to in this
resolution as ``Coach Shula'');
(2) expresses condolences to the family of Coach Shula on
his passing; and
(3) respectfully requests that the Secretary of the Senate
transmit an enrolled copy of this resolution to--
(A) the family of Coach Shula; and
(B) the Miami Dolphins.
____________________
