III 

110TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION S. RES. 143 

Honoring Coach Eddie G. Robinson. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

APRIL 10, 2007 

Ms. LANDRIEU (for herself and Mr. VITTER) submitted the following 

resolution; which was considered and agreed to 

RESOLUTION 

Honoring Coach Eddie G. Robinson. 

Whereas Eddie G. Robinson, the former coach of the Grambling State University Tigers, was born on February 13, 

1919, in Jackson, Louisiana; 

Whereas after graduating from high school, Eddie G. Robinson attended Leland College in Baker, Louisiana, where 

he played quarterback on the college’s football team and 

graduated with a baccalaureate of arts degree; 

Whereas in 1941, Eddie G. Robinson accepted a football 

coaching position at Grambling State University, which, 

at the time, was known as the Louisiana Negro Normal 

and Industrial Institute; 

Whereas during his 57-year tenure as the Grambling State 

University football coach, Eddie G. Robinson established 


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•SRES 143 ATS 

himself as a legend in the world of sports and a Louisiana hero; 

Whereas Eddie G. Robinson broke through the glass ceiling 

that had always undermined the true potential of African-American players and coaches; 

Whereas Eddie G. Robinson won 408 games, which was more 

games won than any coach before him; 

Whereas Eddie G. Robinson won 17 championships in the 

Southwestern Athletic Conference; 

Whereas Eddie G. Robinson held the championship title 9 

times for Historically Black Colleges and Universities; 

Whereas Eddie G. Robinson sent more than 200 players into 

the National Football League (NFL), including Paul 

‘‘Tank’’ Younger, who was the first NFL player from a 

predominantly African-American college and, from then 

on, Coach Robinson was personally responsible for paving 

the way for all African-American players to have opportunities in the NFL and others to play at majority White 

schools; 

Whereas Eddie G. Robinson’s achievements are not limited to 

his athletic victories; 

Whereas Eddie G. Robinson taught his players the meaning 

of teamwork and patriotism, providing them lessons that 

extended far beyond the football field; 

Whereas his contributions have also provided for one of the 

most exciting match-ups in college sports—the Bayou 

Classic football game, which Eddie G. Robinson and his 

sports information director, the late Collie J. Nicholson, 

created; and 


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•SRES 143 ATS 

Whereas Eddie G. Robinson was able to serve Grambling 

State University with such great distinction in large part 

because of the continuing support of his wife Doris, his 

two children, Eddie Jr. and Lillian Rose Watkins, his 

grandchildren, and his great-grandchildren: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) notes with deep sorrow and solemn mourn3 ing the death of Coach Eddie G. Robinson, a Lou4 isiana hero and a great American; 

5 (2) extends its heartfelt sympathy to Mrs. Doris 

6 Robinson and the family of Eddie G. Robinson; and 

7 (3) honors and, on behalf of the Nation, ex8 presses deep appreciation for Coach Eddie G. Robin9 son’s outstanding service to Grambling State Uni10 versity, to Louisiana, and to his country. 

Æ 


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