H.Res. 1122

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1122 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. RES. 1122

Honoring the life and legacy of Coach Louis Leo ``Lou'' Holtz.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

March 18, 2026

Mr. Yakym (for himself, Mr. Fallon, Mr. Kelly of Pennsylvania, Mr. 
Baird, and Mr. Messmer) submitted the following resolution; which was 
referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce

_______________________________________________________________________

RESOLUTION

Honoring the life and legacy of Coach Louis Leo ``Lou'' Holtz.

Whereas Louis Leo ``Lou'' Holtz was born on January 6, 1937, in Follansbee, West 
Virginia, to Andrew and Anne Holtz, and grew up in East Liverpool, Ohio;
Whereas Lou Holtz earned his undergraduate degree in history from Kent State 
University, where he played football for 2 seasons until an injury led 
him to assist the coaching staff, and he later completed his master's 
degree at the University of Iowa, laying the foundation for a life 
devoted to teaching, coaching, and inspiring others;
Whereas Lou Holtz married Beth Barcus on July 22, 1961, and their marriage 
endured more than 5 decades, with 4 children, 9 grandchildren, and 2 
great-grandchildren;
Whereas Lou Holtz had a legendary career as a college football head coach at 
William and Mary, North Carolina State University, the University of 
Arkansas, the University of Minnesota, the University of Notre Dame, and 
the University of South Carolina, finishing with a collegiate record of 
249 wins, 132 losses, and 7 ties;
Whereas, at each institution Lou Holtz served, he inherited a program with a 
losing record and transformed it into a winning team, earning the 
distinction of being the only coach in college football history to lead 
6 different programs to bowl games and to guide 4 of them to final top-
20 national rankings;
Whereas Lou Holtz was inducted into the National Football Foundation College 
Football Hall of Fame in 2008 in recognition of his contributions to 
college football;
Whereas Lou Holtz instituted several traditions at the University of Notre Dame, 
including the ``Play Like A Champion Today'' sign in the locker room and 
the removal of names from the back of the football jerseys to emphasize 
the team dynamic;
Whereas Lou Holtz taught 3 essential rules: do what is right, do it to the best 
of your ability, and show people you care--principles that not only 
shaped the teams he built but, more importantly, shaped character, 
instilled purpose, and helped young men become the best versions of 
themselves on the field and in life;
Whereas Lou Holtz became a trusted analyst for CBS Sports and ESPN's College 
GameDay broadcasts from 2005 to 2015, a New York Times bestselling 
author, and one of America's most sought-after motivational speakers;
Whereas Lou Holtz received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest 
civilian honor in the United States, from President Donald J. Trump on 
December 3, 2020, in recognition of his extraordinary impact as one of 
America's greatest football coaches and a lifelong teacher of character 
and leadership;
Whereas Lou Holtz and his wife, Beth, demonstrated generosity throughout their 
lives, including through the Lou and Beth Holtz Family Scholarship and 
the Rockne Heritage Fund for student-athlete financial aid; and
Whereas Lou Holtz, a devoted husband, father, faithful Catholic, and one of 
college football's most legendary figures, leaves behind a legacy 
defined by faith, family, perseverance, and an unwavering belief in the 
potential of others: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) honors the life and legacy of Louis Leo ``Lou'' Holtz, 
including his dedication to the game of college football and 
the promotion of excellence, character, and teamwork in 
student-athletes;
(2) remembers the drive, faith, and character of Coach 
Holtz and all that he did to educate and mentor hundreds of 
players over his more than 3 decades as a college football head 
coach; and
(3) extends a heartfelt thank you to Coach Holtz for his 
service to the game of college football and continues to honor 
his enduring legacy of faith, family, and the relentless 
pursuit of excellence.
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