[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 4] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page 4568] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]IN RECOGNITION OF MR. GORDON HOWE ______ HON. JOE KNOLLENBERG of michigan in the house of representatives Monday, March 31, 2008 Mr. KNOLLENBERG. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize a living legend in Detroit ice hockey, Mr. Gordon ``Gordie'' Howe, as he celebrates his 80th birthday today. Mr. Hockey, as Howe is universally recognized for his greatness on the ice, sprang from humble beginnings. Born in Floral, Saskatchewan, Canada, in the midst of the Great Depression, Howe, who was the fifth of nine children, grew up in poverty and was often sick due to poor nutrition. A significant milestone in Howe's life came at the tender age of 5, when his mother purchased some used belongings from a neighbor, which included his first pair of skates. Howe immersed himself in hockey, day in and day out, using anything he could find, be it a puck, a tennis ball, or even clumps of dirt. While he didn't make the local youth hockey team, Howe didn't let this discourage him, and worked hard to develop into an excellent skater. During summers, Howe would work with his father at construction sites where the work helped him develop the exceptional strength that would give him one of the hardest shots in hockey. By the time he was 15, Howe was already an imposing 6 feet tall and 200 pounds. In 1943, Howe was invited by the New York Rangers for a tryout. Howe failed to make the team, but despite this rejection, he was invited to try out for the Detroit Red Wings, where he impressed the coach and general manager Jack Adams. In 1946, at the age of 18, Howe made his National Hockey League debut playing right wing for the Detroit Red Wings. He quickly established himself as a great goal scorer, a gifted playmaker, and a dominating physical presence on the ice. Using his strength and talent, Howe was able to dominate the opposition throughout a career that spanned 5 decades, a feat unmatched by any athlete in any sport. By the time Howe retired from the Red Wings in 1971, he had led them to four Stanley Cup championships, seven first place finishes, and established the team as a perennial powerhouse. In addition, Howe was a six-time NHL Most Valuable Player and winner of the scoring title, and was the career leader in games played, goals, assists, and points. In 1973, when his sons Marty and Mark joined the Houston Aeros of the World Hockey Association, they convinced Gordie to fulfill his dream of playing on the professional level with them. After the WHA folded in 1979, Howe joined the Hartford Whalers of the NHL for one final season, helping the team make the playoffs. In 1997, Howe accomplished the last milestone in his storied career when he played professional hockey in a sixth decade. Playing a shift with the Detroit Vipers of the International Hockey League at nearly 70 years old, Howe was greeted by a thundering ovation. Along with his many achievements on the ice, Howe and his wife Colleen are dedicated to the children of their community and around the world. The Howe Foundation, which they founded in 1993, is dedicated to enriching the lives of those in need. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize a fine neighbor, a true Michigan fixture, and the man who made Detroit ``Hockeytown,'' the greatest sports city in the world. I wish him a happy and healthy birthday, and wish him many more to come. ____________________