IV
106TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
H. RES. 370
Recognizing and honoring Walter Payton and expressing the condolences
of the House of Representatives to his family on his death.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
NOVEMBER 9, 1999
Mr. PICKERING (for himself, Mr. WICKER, Mr. SHOWS, Mr. THOMPSON of
Mississippi, Mr. TAYLOR
of Mississippi, Mr. HASTERT, and Mr.
LARGENT) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the
Committee on Government Reform
RESOLUTION
Recognizing and honoring Walter Payton and expressing the
condolences of the House of Representatives to his family
on his death.
Whereas Walter Payton was born in Columbia, Mississippi,
on July 25, 1954;
Whereas Walter Payton was a distinguished alumnus of
Jackson State University, home of the Jackson State Ti-
gers and the nationally renowned Sonic Boom of the
South;
Whereas Walter Payton was known by all as ‘‘Sweetness’’;
Whereas Walter Payton serves as the highest example of his
Christian faith and his sport in countless public and pri-
vate ways;
•HRES 370 IH
Whereas Walter Payton was truly a hero and role model for
all Mississippians who had the privilege of watching him
play the game he loved so much;
Whereas Walter Payton was viewed by his friends and former
classmates as a fun-loving, warm, and smiling man with
a joy for life, his family, and his sport;
Whereas Walter Payton played the game of football with un-
paralleled determination, passion, and desire;
Whereas Walter Payton, an extraordinary Mississippian and
the National Football League’s greatest running back of
all time, died leaving us great memories of personal and
athletic achievements;
Whereas Walter Payton received national acclaim as a run-
ning back and was the Chicago Bears’ first pick, and was
chosen fourth overall, in the 1975 draft;
Whereas Walter Payton played 13 seasons in the National
Football League;
Whereas Walter Payton played a critical role in helping the
Chicago Bears win Super Bowl XX in 1986;
Whereas Walter Payton was inducted into the College Foot-
ball Hall of Fame in 1996;
Whereas Walter Payton was inducted into the Professional
Football Hall of Fame in 1993;
Whereas Walter Payton holds the National Football League
record for career yards—16,726 yards;
Whereas Walter Payton holds the National Football League
record for career rushing attempts—3,838 attempts;
Whereas Walter Payton holds the National Football League
record for yards gained in a single game—275 yards in
•HRES 370 IH
a game against the Minnesota Vikings on November 20,
1977;
Whereas Walter Payton holds the National Football League
record for seasons with 1,000 or more yards—10 sea-
sons, 1976 to 1981 and 1983 to 1986;
Whereas Walter Payton holds the National Football League
record for consecutive seasons leading the league in rush-
ing attempts—4 seasons, from 1976 to 1979;
Whereas Walter Payton holds the National Football League
record for most career games with 100 or more yards—
77 games;
Whereas Walter Payton holds the National Football League
record for combined net yards in a career—21,803 yards;
Whereas Walter Payton holds the National Football League
record for combined attempts in a career—4,368 at-
tempts;
Whereas one of Walter Payton’s greatest achievements was
the founding of the Walter Payton Foundation, which
provides financial and motivational support to youth and
helps children realize that they can raise the quality of
their lives and the lives of those around them;
Whereas the Walter Payton Foundation’s greatest legacy has
been the funding and support of children’s educational
programs, as well as programs assisting abused or ne-
glected children; and
Whereas Walter Payton died on November 1, 1999, of liver
disease: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives—
(1) recognizes and honors Walter Payton—
•HRES 370 IH
(A) as one of the greatest professional
football players;
(B) for his many contributions to Mis-
sissippi and the Nation throughout his lifetime;
and
(C) for transcending the game of football
and becoming a timeless symbol of athletic tal-
ent, spirited competition, and a role model as a
Christian gentleman and a loving father and
husband; and
(2) extends its deepest condolences to Walter
Payton’s wife Connie, his children Brittany and
Jarrett, his mother Alyne, his brother Eddie and sis-
ter Pam, and the other members of his family on
their tragic loss.
SEC. 2. The Clerk of the House of Representatives
shall transmit an enrolled copy of this resolution to the
family of Walter Payton.
Æ