Rep. Reyes speaks on the House Floor to commemorate 75th anniversary of the Sun Bowl
1/13/2009
Washington, D.C.
News
REYES COMMEMORATES 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SUN BOWL ON THE FLOOR OF THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
WASHINGTON, D.C - Congressman Silvestre Reyes (D-El Paso), today spoke on the Floor of the U.S. House of Representatives to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Sun Bowl. The following are his remarks as prepared for delivery:
"Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize a special occasion in American university athletics, the 75th Anniversary of the Sun Bowl, a proud tradition in college football hosted in my district, El Paso, Texas. The Sun Bowl is the second-oldest bowl game in the United States and a major national attraction that brings together thousands of loyal college football fans each year to watch teams from the Pac-10, Big 12, and Big East Conferences.
"As we celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the Sun Bowl, I wish to recognize the Sun Bowl Association, the sponsors, and all of the fans from El Paso and throughout the nation who have made this annual event a success. In particular, I would like to acknowledge Bernie Olivas, Executive Director of the Sun Bowl Association, Gerald J. Rubin, CEO of Helen of Troy for sponsoring this event, as well as Joe Valenzuela, Frank Bates, and Linda East, current, incoming and past presidents of the Sun Bowl Association Board of Directors.
"At its humble beginnings, the Sun Bowl was put-together as a fundraiser by the Kiwanis Club in 1935. The event originated as a small high school match-up and grew into a major, nationally-televised bowl game in Division I football. As you can see here, I have some pictures that capture some of this history in El Paso, the Sun Bowl city.
"The first game featured the El Paso High School All-Stars versus the Ranger High School Bulldogs and was played at the El Paso High School stadium, where the all-star team came from behind to garner a 25-21 victory over the Bulldogs.
"The Sun Bowl Association was formed immediately after the success of the first game and a coalition of local El Paso area service clubs including Rotary, Lions, Optimist, and 20-30, joined together to coordinate events around the bowl every year.
"After gathering input from the community, the event was named the Sun Bowl and the first collegiate game was played in 1936. This game was a match between New Mexico A&M (now New Mexico State University) and Hardin Simmons College. As the Sun Bowl grew, it was moved from the El Paso High School stadium to the 15,000-seat Kidd Field in 1938 on the campus of what is now the University of Texas at El Paso.
"The game was moved again in 1963 to the 30,000-seat Sun Bowl stadium and in 1982, the Sun Bowl game took place in the newly expanded Sun Bowl stadium with a seating capacity of over 50,000 people. This is a picture of our beautiful stadium.
"Last month, over 49,000 fans attended the 75th Annual Brut Sun Bowl to watch the Oregon State Beavers defeat the Pittsburgh Panthers to become this year's Sun Bowl Champion. The television network, CBS, has been broadcasting the Sun Bowl since 1968, making it the longest, continuous broadcast of a post-season football game. The crowd itself at this year's Sun Bowl also made history, not so much by the attendance, but for being the largest crowd, according to the Guinness World Record, to dance to the Village People's 1978 disco anthem, "Y.M.C.A." This picture here captures some of the energy and excitement of that day.
"To commemorate the 75th anniversary, the Sun Bowl Association added two more names to its "Legends of the Sun Bowl" list. The "Legends of the Sun Bowl" include coaches, players, broadcasters, and longtime volunteers of the Sun Bowl.
"This year's recipients were Priest Holmes, a 1994 player for the University of Texas and Craig Silver, a CBS sports commentator from 1983 to 2005. Among other notable "Legends of the Sun Bowl," are the late Pat Tillman, Thurman Thomas, Pat Summerall, and Tony Dorsett. This final picture here shows Tony Dorsett in action.
"Along with my remarks, I would like to submit a copy of the names of all the previous "Legends of the Sun Bowl" for inclusion in the record.
"Madam Speaker, I am proud to highlight this very special event in El Paso, one that is very much a part of the city's history and lure. The Sun Bowl is a wonderful opportunity to showcase the natural geographic beauty and friendly atmosphere that make the community special. The success of the Sun Bowl is a testament to the hard work of the Sun Bowl Association as well as the numerous community partners and sponsors, and I look forward to many more successful years of this wonderful tradition."
"Legends of the Sun Bowl"
2008 Priest Holmes - Player, Texas (1994), Craig Silver - CBS Sports (1983-2005)
2007 Cornelius Bennett - Player, Alabama (1983 & 1986), Don James - Coach, Washington (1979 & 1986)
2006 Tony Franklin - Player, Texas A&M (1977), Grant Teaff - Coach, Baylor (1992)
2005 Terry Donahue - Coach, UCLA (1991); CBS Sports (1995), Verne Lundquist - CBS Sports (1988, 1992, 2000-05)
2004 Pat Tillman (Posthumously) - Player, Arizona State (1997), Alex Van Pelt - Player, Pittsburgh (1989)
2003 Ken Heineman - Player, El Paso All-Stars (1935),
2002 Thurman Thomas - Player, Oklahoma State (1987)
2001 John H. Folmer - Administrator, Barry Switzer - Coach, Oklahoma (1981)
2000 Vince Dooley - Coach, Georgia (1964, 1969 & 1985), Derrick Thomas (Posthumously) - Player, Alabama (1986 & 1988)
1999 Hayden Fry - Coach, SMU (1963) and Iowa (1995 & 1997), Jimmy Rogers, Jr. - Administrator
1998 Jesse Whittenton - UTEP (1954 & 1955)
1997 Tom Brookshier - CBS Sports (1973, 1977-1981), Pat Summerall - CBS Sports (1971, 1977-80)
1996 Tony Dorsett - Player, Pittsburgh (1975)
1995 Johnny Majors - Coach, Iowa State (1971), Pittsburgh (1975) and Tennessee (1984)
1994 Harrison Kohl - Administrator, Bill Stevens - Player, UTEP (1965 & 1967), Charley Johnson - Player, New Mexico State (1959 & 1960)
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Vincent M. Perez
202-225-4831
vincent.perez@mail.house.gov
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