[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 62 Engrossed in House (EH)]


                In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

                                                      January 18, 2007.
Whereas on December 16, 2006, the Grand Valley State University Lakers of 
        Allendale, Michigan, won the 2006 National Collegiate Athletic 
        Association (NCAA) Division II Football National Championship by 
        defeating the Northwest Missouri State University Bearcats by a score of 
        17 to 14, defeating the Bearcats for the second consecutive year in the 
        championship game;
Whereas in the championship game, quarterback Cullen Finnerty completed 15 of 33 
        passes for 225 yards and rushed for 115 yards on 22 carries for 340 
        yards of total offense, becoming the first quarterback in the history of 
        the NCAA Division II Football National Championship to pass for more 
        than 200 yards and rush for more than 100 yards, and Bill Brechin made 4 
        pivotal plays, including 2 first-quarter interceptions that kept the 
        Lakers in the game;
Whereas the Lakers completed the season with a perfect 15-0 winning record, 
        becoming just the second team in NCAA Division II football history to 
        finish the season 15-0;
Whereas the Lakers have won 28 consecutive games, the longest football winning 
        streak in any NCAA division;
Whereas the Lakers also won the NCAA Division II Football National Championship 
        in 2002, 2003, and 2005;
Whereas the American Football Coaches Association named Coach Chuck Martin the 
        NCAA Division II Coach of the Year for the second consecutive year;
Whereas Martin has compiled a 3-year head coaching record of 38-3, including a 
        10-1 postseason record;
Whereas the Lakers' seniors finish their 4 seasons with a 52-4 record, which 
        makes them the all-time most winning senior class in all of NCAA 
        history;
Whereas 5 Lakers earned Associated Press Little All-American honors, with 
        seniors Finnerty, Eric Fowler, and Mike McFadden earning first-team 
        honors and juniors Brandon Barnes and Brandon Carr earning third-team 
        honors;
Whereas the Lakers dominated the 2006 Daktronics, Inc. Division II All-American 
        Football team by placing 6 players (Fowler, Barnes, McFadden, Finnerty, 
        Carr, and Anthony Adams) on the first team;
Whereas in the 2006 season, Finnerty was selected to 3 All-American teams (the 
        American Football Coaches Association, Daktronics, and the Associated 
        Press) and finished second in the Harlon Hill race, an award given to 
        the top player in Division II football;
Whereas Finnerty closes a college football career with a 51-4 record as a 
        starter, including a record of 14-1 in postseason play, to become the 
        most winning quarterback in NCAA history;
Whereas Finnerty was named the 2006 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic 
        Conference Football Player of the Year, Barnes was named Offensive 
        Lineman of the Year, and McFadden was named the Defensive Lineman of the 
        Year for the second consecutive year;
Whereas McFadden also won the Gene Upshaw Award for the second consecutive year; 
        and
Whereas Grand Valley State University's student athletes have displayed great 
        strength, ability, and perseverance this season and have again made the 
        citizens of the State of Michigan proud: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved,  That the House of Representatives--
            (1) congratulates the Grand Valley State University Lakers for 
        winning the 2006 NCAA Division II Football National Championship; and
            (2) recognizes all the players, coaches, and support staff who were 
        instrumental in this achievement.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.