Jim Ramstad: “the people of Minnesota and Minnesota Vikings football fans around the world are mourning today because we have had a…”

“the people of Minnesota and Minnesota Vikings football fans around the world are mourning today because we have had a tragic death in the family. Minnesotans are devastated over the loss of Korey Stringer, the gifted all-pro Minnesota Vikings football player, loving husband and father, popular hero to Minnesota kids and respected role model in our great State. As Vikings head coach Dennis Green put it, ``We have lost a brother, a teammate and a friend. Everybody loved, respected and admired Korey Stringer. He was our gift from heaven.'' Mr. Speaker, Minnesota lost more than just the anchor of the Vikings offensive line when Korey Stringer died at 1:50 this morning because of heatstroke. We lost much more than a Pro Bowl football player. We lost one of the finest people in the National Football League and our Twin Cities community. As my friend Minnesota Vikings all-pro wide receiver Cris Carter said yesterday, ``There was not a more well-liked player on our football team, but it's far greater than about football.'' Korey was in his seventh season as a Viking after he was drafted in the first round in 1995 as a 20-year-old from Ohio State. Even though Korey was a native of Warren, Ohio, he chose to make the Twin Cities area his permanent home. He was a huge man physically, 6 feet 4, 335 pounds, and his heart was even bigger. Known as a gentle giant, Korey Stringer gave so much to our Twin Cities community.”