III 109th CONGRESS 1st Session S. RES. 346 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES December 21, 2005 Mr. Burr (for himself and Mrs. Dole) submitted the following resolution December 22 (legislative day, December 21), 2005 Considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Commending the Appalachian State University football team for winning the 2005 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I–AA Football Championship.

Whereas on December 16, 2005, the Appalachian State Mountaineers defeated the Northern Iowa Panthers in the Championship game of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I–AA Football Tournament in Chattanooga, Tennessee; Whereas the Mountaineers are the first team from Appalachian State to win a NCAA Championship in school history; Whereas Appalachian State is the first university in the State of North Carolina to win a NCAA football championship; Whereas head coach Jerry Moore, the all-time winningest coach in Southern Conference history, won his first NCAA title in his seventeenth year as head coach of the Mountaineers, improving to 140–67 his record as head coach at Appalachian State; Whereas defensive ends Marques Murrell and Jason Hunter, as well as safety Corey Lynch, were named to the I–AA All America team; Whereas junior defensive end Marques Murrell, who finished the game with 9 tackles and forced a fumble with 9 minutes, 14 seconds remaining in the game, and senior Jason Hunter, who finished the game with ten tackles, returned it for the winning touchdown; Whereas injured senior quarterback and Southern Conference Offensive Player of the Year Richie Williams courageously led the Mountaineers in the second half while playing with an injured ankle tendon; Whereas the Mountaineer defense held the Panthers scoreless in the second half; Whereas backup quarterback Trey Elder led Appalachian State to a 29–23 victory over Furman University to earn a spot in the final contest; Whereas the Mountaineers defeated Lehigh University and Southern Illinois to advance to the I–AA Final Four; Whereas the Mountaineer team members are excellent representatives of a fine university that is a leader in higher education, producing many fine student-athletes and other leaders; Whereas each player, coach, trainer, manager, and staff member dedicated this season and their efforts to ensure the Appalachian State University Mountaineers reached the summit of college football; Whereas the Mountaineers showed tremendous dedication to each other, appreciation to their fans, sportsmanship to their opponents, and respect for the game of football throughout the 2005 season; and Whereas residents of the Old North State and Appalachian fans worldwide are to be commended for their long-standing support, perseverance, and pride in the team: Now, therefore, be it

That the Senate— (1)commends the champion Appalachian State University Mountaineers for their historic win in the 2005 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I–AA Football Championship; (2)recognizes the achievements of the players, coaches, students, alumni, and support staff who were instrumental in helping Appalachian State University win the championship; and (3)directs the Secretary of the Senate to transmit a copy of this resolution to Appalachian State University Chancellor Kenneth Peacock and head coach Jerry Moore for appropriate display.