WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, the Senate honored the life and career of former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach and Pro Football Hall of Famer, Chuck Noll. 

U.S. Senators Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) and Bob Casey (D-Pa.) introduced a bipartisan resolution following Coach Noll's passing last month.

"I am grateful to my Senate colleagues for their support of this resolution, honoring Coach Chuck Noll," said Sen. Toomey.  "Without question, Chuck Noll was one of the finest coaches and teachers in NFL history.  His determined and innovative approach to the profession yielded four Super Bowl titles, nearly 200 career wins, and a bust in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The City of Pittsburgh and football fans across Pennsylvania will miss Coach Noll."

Casey Charles "Chuck" Noll passed away at age 82 on June 13, 2014 at his home in Sewickley, Pa.             

The full text of the resolution is below.

Title: Honoring the life and career of Charles "Chuck" Noll.

Whereas Chuck Noll was born on January 5, 1932, in Cleveland, Ohio;

Whereas Chuck Noll excelled at multiple positions on the football field during a preparatory career at Benedictine High School in Cleveland, Ohio and during a college career at the University of Dayton;

Whereas, after being drafted in the 20th  round of the 1953 National Football League Draft by his hometown team, the Cleveland Browns, Chuck Noll enjoyed a 7-year career as a linebacker and offensive lineman;

Whereas, after his playing career ended, Chuck Noll joined coaching staffs headed by 2 future Hall-of-Famers, including Sid Gillman of the San Diego Chargers;

Whereas, after serving as an assistant coach for nearly a decade, Chuck Noll was selected by the Rooney family to serve as 14th head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers football team on January 27, 1969;

Whereas the current owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers is quoted as saying "hiring Chuck Noll was the best decision we ever made for the Steelers";

Whereas, in 1972, in Chuck Noll's fourth season as head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Pittsburgh Steelers won 11 games and made the playoffs for the first time since 1947;

Whereas, on January 12, 1975, the Pittsburgh Steelers dynasty was born when Chuck Noll led the Pittsburgh Steelers to a victory over the Minnesota Vikings to win Super Bowl IX-the first of the Pittsburgh Steelers' now 6 Super Bowl titles;

Whereas, over the 5 football seasons after winning Super Bowl IX, Chuck Noll's Pittsburgh Steelers went on to capture an additional 3 Super Bowl titles-Super Bowl X and XIII, both by defeating the Dallas Cowboys, and Super Bowl XIV, by defeating the Los Angeles Rams;

Whereas Chuck Noll is best known for masterminding the "Steel Curtain", one of the most stout and prolific defensive units in National Football League history;

Whereas both Chuck Noll's ability to identify talent and his hands-on coaching technique led to Hall of Fame careers for more than 10 of Chuck Noll's players;

Whereas, following 23 football seasons and 193 football game wins, including a record 4 Super Bowl titles as a head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Chuck Noll was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio as part of the Class of 1993; and

Whereas, on June 13, 2014, Chuck Noll passed away surrounded by loved ones at his home in Sewickley, Pennsylvania at the age of 82: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Senate-

(1) recognizes the life and career of Chuck Noll and his contributions to the city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and the National Football League; and

(2) expresses its sympathies to Chuck Noll's family and friends, the Pittsburgh Steelers, Steelers fans, and football fans all around the world.