HONORING AND REMEMBERING THE LIFE OF ROBERT "BOBBY" DOUGLAS

HONORING AND REMEMBERING THE LIFE OF ROBERT "BOBBY" DOUGLAS

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 55 (Tuesday, March 24, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 55 (Tuesday, March 24, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E253] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING AND REMEMBERING THE LIFE OF ROBERT ``BOBBY'' DOUGLAS ______ HON. MICHAEL A. RULLI of ohio in the house of representatives Tuesday, March 24, 2026 Mr. RULLI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and remember the life of Robert ``Bobby'' Douglas, an esteemed wrestler and coach who exemplified the grit and toughness that define what it means to be from eastern Ohio. Born in Bellaire, Ohio, Bobby attended Bridgeport High School, where he rose through the wrestling ranks, winning the Ohio 112-pound state title as a sophomore. As a senior, he captured the 127-pound title. His success in high school led him to West Liberty State College, where he won an NAIA championship and finished second at the NCAA Championships. After two years at West Liberty, he transferred to Oklahoma State, where he claimed the Big Eight Conference 147-pound title and helped the Cowboys secure the 1964 NCAA team championship. At the senior level, Bobby won three national freestyle championships. He competed as a featherweight at the 1964 and 1968 Olympic Games, placing fourth in 1964. His leadership and skill led him to captain the United States Olympic freestyle team at the 1968 Games. He earned a silver medal at the 1966 World Championships and a bronze medal at the 1970 World Championships. He retired from competition in 1970 with an extraordinary record of 303-17. Bobby's passion for wrestling and for developing the next generation of athletes was evident in his coaching at UC Santa Barbara, Arizona State University, and Iowa State University. He is one of only a handful of collegiate coaches to win more than 400 dual meets, and he won an NCAA team national title at Arizona State in 1988. He coached multiple United States Olympic teams and continued to cement his legacy as an all-time great by coaching Cael Sanderson to a gold medal in the 185-pound weight class at the 2004 Olympic Games. Bobby's coaching accomplishments include 13 NCAA champions, 110 All-America performances, and 68 conference titles. After his induction into the NAIA Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1985, Bobby rightfully earned his place in the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1987. I invite my colleagues in the United States House of Representatives to join me in honoring and remembering the life of Robert ``Bobby'' Douglas. ____________________