H. Res. 1427 
In the House of Representatives, U. S., 
June 9, 2010. 
Whereas John Robert Wooden was born on October 14, 
1910, in Hall, Indiana; 
Whereas John Wooden began his basketball career at 
Martinsville High School and helped his team win the In-
diana State high school basketball title in 1927; 
Whereas John Wooden later became a three-time all-Amer-
ican star guard at Purdue University, helped lead Purdue 
to the National Championship in 1932, was named the 
1932 national collegiate player of the year, and received 
the Big Ten medal for excellence in scholarship; 
Whereas John Wooden served honorably as a lieutenant in 
the United States Navy during World War II; 
Whereas John Wooden began his collegiate coaching career in 
1946 at Indiana State Teachers College (now Indiana 
State University), where he fought racial inequality by 
refusing an invitation to the 1947 National Association 
of Intercollegiate Basketball because an African-Amer-
ican player on his team would not be allowed to partici-
pate; 
Whereas John Wooden became head coach at the University 
of California Los Angeles (UCLA) in 1948 and quickly 
established a record of success with his student-athletes
•HRES 1427 EH 
both on and off the court that is legendary and un-
matched; 
Whereas John Wooden led the UCLA Bruins to 10 National 
Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) championships 
(including 7 in a row), 19 conference championships, 12 
final four appearances, four perfect seasons, and a record 
88-game winning streak from 1971 to 1974; 
Whereas John Wooden was the first person elected to the 
Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as both a 
player and as a coach; 
Whereas John Wooden was foremost an educator who always 
stressed the importance of team play while inspiring the 
development of individual talent and academic excellence; 
Whereas John Wooden was the personification of teamwork 
and good sportsmanship, and his name is synonymous 
with integrity; 
Whereas an annual award in John Wooden’s name is given 
to the Nation’s top college men’s and women’s basketball 
player; 
Whereas John Wooden won the lifelong respect of his col-
leagues, players, and fans for the values he lived and es-
poused; 
Whereas John Wooden’s renowned Wooden Pyramid of Suc-
cess, which stresses industriousness, friendship, loyalty, 
cooperation, enthusiasm, self-control, alertness, initiative, 
intentness, condition, skill, team spirit, poise, and con-
fidence as the building blocks for competitive greatness, 
is one of the most widely recognized blueprints for excel-
lence in any pursuit;
•HRES 1427 EH 
Whereas, on July 23, 2003, John Wooden received the Presi-
dential Medal of Freedom, the Nation’s highest civilian 
honor recognizing exceptional meritorious service; 
Whereas, on December 20, 2003, the basketball floor at 
UCLA’s Pauley Pavilion was dedicated as ‘‘Nell and 
John Wooden Court’’; and 
Whereas John Wooden, whose death was preceded by his be-
loved wife Nell, is survived by his 2 children, Nancy and 
James, 7 grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren: 
Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) honors John Wooden for his exceptional career 
as a coach, player, educator, and mentor, including his 
unrivaled achievements during his tenure at UCLA; 
(2) pays tribute to his iconic legacy of leadership, 
and recognizes the respect and admiration he earned 
through his dedication to the betterment of others; and 
(3) expresses condolences on his passing to his chil-
dren, Nancy and James, his grandchildren, his great- 
grandchildren, and the countless players, fans, and ad-
mirers who mourn his passing. 
Attest: 
Clerk.