July 31, 2012 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1361 

and perseverance. I am honored to represent 

Brittany and her family in the United States 

Congress. I know that all of my colleagues in 

the House will join me in congratulating her on 

obtaining the Gold Award, and will wish her 

continued success in her future education and 

career. 

f 

PAYING TRIBUTE TO EARL 

CAMPBELL 

HON. TED POE OF TEXAS

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Tuesday, July 31, 2012 

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, it is with 

great pride that I rise before you today to recognize Earl Campbell, one of the best football 

players to ever play the game and a visionary 

businessman who started from the bottom and 

worked his way to the top. The Tyler Rose is 

a living legend in the state of Texas, and it 

gives me pleasure to recognize him before 

Congress and this Nation. 

Earl was born in Tyler, Texas, the ‘‘Rose 

Capital of the World.’’ In 5th grade he began 

playing football as a kicker, before realizing 

that he enjoyed delivering the hits. Earl became a star linebacker and led John Tyler 

High School to the Texas 4A State Championship in 1973. When coaches moved his 

strength and intensity to the offense, he became one of the most powerful running backs 

in history. 

Naturally many colleges all wanted someone with the leadership abilities and strong 

work ethic that Earl possessed. He chose to 

stay close to home and play with legendary 

Coach Darrell Royal at the University of Texas 

in Austin. Earl had a celebrated career at 

Texas, winning the Heisman Trophy, college 

football’s highest honor after his senior year in 

1977. He was a two-time All-American choice 

and finished his career with 4,443 yards and 

41 touchdowns. Earl restored the Longhorn 

dynasty to its rightful place among the top collegiate programs in the country. 

The Houston Oilers made Earl the first overall draft pick in 1978, once again keeping him 

close to home in Texas. His punishing running 

style made an immediate impact on the team, 

leading them to a 10–6 record and a playoff 

appearance. They lost in a classic game 

against the Pittsburg Steelers now known as 

the ‘‘Ice Bowl.’’ Despite the loss, Earl finished 

the season with 1,450 yards and 13 touchdowns, earning the Rookie of the Year Award 

and the Offensive Player of the Year Award. 

Most importantly, he helped shepherd in the 

‘‘Luv Ya Blue’’ era that had the Astrodome 

rocking and brought pride to the city of Houston. 

For the 8 years that Earl played in the NFL, 

he was one of the most feared yet respected 

players. Opponents feared his tough, physical 

style of play. His 5′11′′, 244-pound frame was 

described as a ‘‘one man demolition team.’’ 

Teammates respected his leadership and 

dedication. When they needed him, he was 

there, missing more than two games a season 

only once. He would finish his career with 

9,407 yards, 74 touchdowns, 5 Pro Bowl appearances, 3 All Pro teams, and the Most Valuable Player Award in 1979. Earl is a member 

of both the College and Professional Football 

Hall of Fame and will be remembered as one 

of the greatest players to ever hit the gridiron. 

The dedication to success that Earl displayed on the field translated off of it as well. 

In 1991, after hearing raves about his sausage 

recipes, he took $150,000 and started his own 

company, Earl Campbell Meat Products, Inc. 

The small business is the heart of the American economy, and Earl worked hard to make 

sure that his company stood out. He drove 

hundreds of thousands of miles, all over 

Texas and the south, to promote his products. 

Today, they are one of the largest sausage 

manufacturers in the country, selling over 11 

million pounds a year. 

While being one of the most famous Texans 

around, Earl has never lost the small town values that helped shape him. He married his 

high school sweetheart, Reuna, and they have 

two sons, Christian and Tyler. After Tyler was 

diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, the family 

rallied together and became ambassadors for 

the National MS Society. They have helped 

raise thousands for research and remain committed to fighting the disease. He also helps 

mentor athletes at the University of Texas, 

preparing them for the life-altering changes 

they will soon experience. The State of Texas 

and our Nation is a better place because of 

people like Earl. 

Earl Campbell is a shining example that the 

American Dream is possible for anyone. 

Through tireless effort and internal fortitude, 

he became a world-class athlete, respected 

businessman, and noted philanthropist. I am 

honored to recognize Earl, a true Texan, for 

his lifetime of inspiration and service to the 

community. 

And that’s just the way it is. 

f 

RECOGNIZING THE OUTSTANDING 

MILITARY SERVICE OF LIEUTENANT GENERAL CHARLES E. 

STENNER, JR. ON THE OCCASION 

OF HIS RETIREMENT 

HON. AUSTIN SCOTT OF GEORGIA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Tuesday, July 31, 2012 

Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, today I wish to recognize Lieutenant General Charles E. Stenner, Jr., upon his retirement after 39 years of distinguished military 

service to our Great nation in the United 

States Air Force and the United States Air 

Force Reserve. 

General Stenner was commissioned as a 

Second Lieutenant in 1973 and went on to fly 

the F–4, A–10, and F–16 aircraft. General 

Stenner’s last military assignment was as both 

Chief of the Air Force Reserve, Headquarters 

U.S. Air Force, Washington, DC, and Commander, Air Force Reserve Command, Robins 

Air Force Base, Georgia. As Chief of the Air 

Force Reserve, he served as principal adviser 

on reserve matters to the Chief of Staff of the 

Air Force. As Commander of Air Force Reserve Command, he had full responsibility for 

the supervision of all U.S. Air Force Reserve 

units around the world. 

General Stenner led a modernization effort 

of the Air Force Reserve which increased 

combat effectiveness and improved response 

capabilities to humanitarian crises and disaster 

relief operations in the United States as well 

as operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, the Horn of 

Africa, Libya, Japan, Haiti, and numerous 

other locations around the globe. General 

Stenner moved the Air Force Reserve from a 

Cold-War-model, or ‘‘Strategic Reserve,’’ to a 

full partner major command through his Air 

Force Reserve 2012 initiative. Creating a cultural shift in both Active and Reserve Components, he was able to rebuild the Air Force 

Reserve’s infrastructure to support its newly 

evolved twin missions of being first and foremost a ‘‘Strategic Reserve’’ that can be leveraged to support daily operations as an ‘‘Operational Reserve.’’ 

After conducting more than 20 years of continual combat operations, the Air Force Reserve’s success is evident today. General 

Stenner’s efforts were critical to implementing 

new policies supporting Air Force Reservists, 

their civilian employers, and their families who 

were impacted by increased Reserve operations. thanks to his continuous dialogue with 

Congress, reservists now get improved health 

care, new credits toward retirement, inactive 

duty training travel pay, and post–9/11 G.I. Bill 

benefits. 

Because of General Stenner’s visionary 

leadership, planning, and foresight, the Air 

Force, the Department of Defense, and the 

United States will long reap the benefits of his 

many years of service. I thank General 

Stenner for his many years of dedicated service I wish him and his wife Dee the very best 

as they enter retirement. 

f 

A TRIBUTE TO DIANA ZHANG 

HON. TOM LATHAM 

OF IOWA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Tuesday, July 31, 2012 

Mr. LATHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to 

recognize and congratulate Diana Zhang for 

being named a state winner of the Library of 

Congress’s Letters about Literature program. 

Letters about Literature is a national reading 

and writing program that is sponsored by the 

Library of Congress. The program asks students to write to the past or present author of 

a book that has affected their life. Approximately 59,000 young readers from across the 

country submitted letters last year to compete 

for the state-level awards for 2012. 

A panel of judges that can include published 

authors, editors, publishers, librarians, teachers, and even state officials chose Diana’s letter as a state winner. Diana wrote a letter to 

author Catherynne M. Valente to explain how 

Valente’s two novel series, The Orphan’s 

Tales, affected her life. Valente’s acclaimed 

novels spoke to Diana, and now Diana’s letter 

to Valente has earned her recognition in her 

community as well as here in Washington. 

Mr. Speaker, the example set by this young 

woman demonstrates the rewards of harnessing one’s talents and sharing them with 

the world. Diana’s efforts embody the Iowa 

sprit and I am honored to represent her and 

her family in the United States Congress. I 

know that all of my colleagues in the United 

States House of Representatives will join me 

in congratulating her on her achievement and 

will wish her continued success in her future 

education and career. 


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