Political Quotes

“It has been 3 long years and Houston once again has a professional football team, an NFL team. That name last week was decided to be the Houston Texans. Since 1997, when the Oilers left Houston to go on to Tennessee, football fans have hoped and dreamed for this moment. In Houston it was a long and hard road. Even though it is only 3 years, it seems like many more. I want to thank the owner who brought the NFL back to Houston, Bob McNair. Without his hard work, dedication and effort, we would not have this possible, but also to the people of Houston and Harris County who voted to build the new stadium right next to the eighth wonder of the world, the Astrodome. As any Texan can tell us, football is more than just a sport or game, it is a religion in Texas. Texans are crazy about football, and Houstonians are now crazy about the Houston Texans. Professional football has a long history in my hometown. In the early days of the AFL, the Houston Oilers were a powerhouse, winning the championships in 1961 and 1962; and when they merged the AFL and NFL, Houston was competitive each year. Such great players as Dan Pastorini, Earl Campbell, and Billy "White Shoes" Johnson led our team to the brink of the Super Bowl. Houstonians continue to stand by their team in good times and in bad, and now we are ready for the professional Houston Texans. Madam Speaker, I look forward to the on-field debut of the Houston Texans in 2002.”